Practicing Patience While Waiting

No one said it would be easy, Mr.Donald Miller. What should I do next while I wait for my prayers to be answered--shall I ponder the floor, pick my zits on my face or look up at the ceiling? Or should I say my prayers and go on with my routine in faith? Maybe a bit of both is required to really have patience.

Today as I think of the Humpty-Dumpty that we are hoping to put together, first in the silence of morning--it's 6:07-- my first cup of coffee, let me begin with my prayers of the day. My mind is now in order since I have been out in the world of the living last night and enjoyed the experience. Now that is a first step!

My prayers:

For Julia, a sense of joy and a sense of peace. Let her have the pleasure of someone's company that she enjoys. Let her hear some gossip that will keep her alive and going.

For Betty, let the music come into her soul and let her want to go to the piano and sing of God's glory. Maybe she will remember whose she is!

For Jennie, let her have a day that allows her to feel good and let's someone remember her in a special way.

For Jim, in Oklahoma, let him feel the joy of being needed and his advice worth seeking.

For Rose Marie, let her remember that she is still a part of a family whether she wants to see them again or not.

So, I have expanded my original group to pray. Funny, that is what prayer often does. If I truly believe in it, I want to share it.

For Betty Ann, Catherine and Susan -- let them feel that they can be the catalysts to a better sense of family by their own bonding and renewal.

For Sara--pray for her safe journey and for Adam's birthday. I express my gratitude for Ad- Man and for coming into my world.

Yes,, Donald Miller, that is part 1 for me. INVITE GOD INTO THE CONFLICT. Now, again, I relinquish all this to God. This is my prayer; nevertheless, thy will be done!

Now on to Humpty Dumpty Part 2: COMMIT TO HAVING PATIENCE. When Jimmy was a little boy, we played a game, "I'm gonna learn to be--hand clap --patient!" He was not a fast learner or a slow one. I hope he learned to be better after he left my parenting. Some days, it is nigh impossible to be patient. We decide after weeks and months of waiting, that nothing is going to happen unless we make it happen! Sometimes we rush in, make some preliminary gestures, and in truth, make an uneasy progress that is sure to fall apart. It does not really change the circumstances at all. Some of the Humpty Dumpty Cooper problems are long-term and stem from things that have been allowed to go unresolved. So long as Momma was alive,there was something to hold us together. When she was gone, there was no common bond and then, and then alone, we had to decide if we wanted to be family or not! The peace was always uneasy, as I remember it! I made my peace by ignoring most of the problems and centering on the fun times--Warren was a big part of staying family centered--he was not a part of the problem with the sisters. Jim remained aloof from us all as did Rose Marie. Gradually so did Jennie. I'm not knocking their decision--it was their decision to make!

My only point --we did not just get into this debacle. It has been long in the making! While we wait, we need to be faithful in the praying. And remember, WE ARE NOT ALONE! Romans 8 says, "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

I just read something that is important to me. "Patience is only needed when there is a reason not to wait" The New Bible Dictionary defines patience as "God given restraint in the face of opposition or oppression." In that case, then, we have a choice of remaining patient or rushing in where angels fear to tread.

There is a purpose in the waiting. Hebrews 12:2 says that waiting on God forces us to look at him. Daddy Cooper used to always say when I was going out on a date, "Remember who you are" and it would go thru me like wildfire. But it was true then and it continues to be true. Maybe it is, Remember WHOSE you are--a preacher's family has gone awry but it can be restored. We believe in regeneration for all -- why not us! We are both worthy and guilty!

And so we wait upon the Lord --together! We have the assurance that where two or three are gathered together, there He will be in the midst of them! We claim that assurance and wait!