Waiting Well
This has been my prayer over the past several months….to “wait well.” Everyone is waiting for something…Christmas; a loved one’s return; healing from an illness; a check in the mail; reconciliation in a relationship; to go on a trip. Although I am waiting on several things, the main thing I am waiting on is a referral call from China. If you’re reading this blog entry, more than likely you have read the Smalley Christmas letter and you know our story. We are waiting to know that “Annie” will officially be part of our family. In every sense she has already become a part of our family…yet she is not here with us physically. In our hearts, we love her very much; we have begun to dream of her future with us; we can see her playing in the backyard. In matter of fact, we purchased this swing for her and we deemed it the “faith, hope, and love swing.” Faith that she will be ours; hope that she will come soon and in the life we hope to offer her; and love…the love we feel for her already that will only continue to grow. In so many ways, this is the identical to faith, hope and love in the Lord. We have faith to believe in Him, hope for our lives and future because of Him and we are able to love as a result of His love.
I know that I try to “wait well.” But often, I fail. I try to take things into my own hands by making phone calls and sending emails. Sometime these are ordained actions, however, more often they are my own actions. How about you? Do you try to take things into your own hands? Join the club if you are struggling. In our culture, we are so used to getting everything right here and now. However, we have waiting a short 10 months for this call and it feels as if it’s been a lifetime. When I see the precious pink “faith, hope, and love” swing hanging on the swing set in the back yard—it reminds me to “wait well.” Although, right now it is covered in snow—it is has already been through several seasons—burning hot in the heat of July and August; September, October, and November brought beautiful leaves and colder temperatures and December has brought the fluffy white snow. Each waiting experience has seasons to it. As I look at the snow today it makes me think that next winter Annie could be sitting in the swing—laughing, giggling and enjoying life. The swing helps me to remember to not take things into my own be my focus. As we fumble our way through this season of anticipation and waiting—I know that I can only“wait well” with Him. He has to be my focus, my comfort, my strength.
