Waiting: Just Another Part of Life

"Be still & know that I am God" (Ps 46:10). God seems to remind me of that verse a lot and it also seems like we spend most of our time waiting. We do a lot of waiting: waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting at a red light, waiting for a parking spot, waiting for grandma slow poke to move out of my way so I can get home. grrr. Well, you know all about waiting.

I remember as a little girl saying, "I can't wait to be 10 then I'll be a big girl. Double digits!" After turning the big 1-0. I grew up and couldn't wait for a car. I got an '86 Toyota Corolla manual with plaid interior that burned oil quicker than gas and I smelled of exhaust whenever I got out of the beloved mode of transportation! Ahhh... but I couldn't wait for a car!

Life moves on. I couldn't wait to be done with high school so I could move on to college. Then I couldn't wait to be out of college so I could have a "real" life and "real" job. (What I wouldn't give to be back in college.) I waited for my "real" job after having some very unrealistic ones. Now I can't wait for the school year to be over, to have a nicer car, to have kids. Fill in your own blank.

Constantly waiting for the next mile stone is often how life is lived; being so impatient and not enjoying the moment given. Luckily, those times of waiting haven't gone in vain. God has taught me a great deal while waiting (usually after I have cooled off and didn't kill grandma slow poke).

• Waiting teaches patience and by gaining more patience we do indeed become more like Christ (Galatians 5:22 ).

• Waiting has made me trust God whole-heartedly. God is truly in control. My favorite verse, Jeremiah 29:11, reminds me so clearly of that truth.

• It also has made me slow down and appreciate the moments I am living in right now - not looking forward to the next mile stone.

I must confess, I still have to stop myself from looking ahead. Even now, I can hear God gently whispering "Just wait, Veronica. Just wait." Oh, I know. It's so hard to do! Waiting is the worst, but in the waiting God is still in control, He still loves & cares for you. So in the middle of the waiting room of life (or maybe even the literal one). Be still and know that He is God