Is this the age of instant gratification? Do your children or grandchildren want a new iPod, iPad or iPhone NOW?
When I was a young girl, I had to wait until my birthday. I wanted to Nancy Drew mystery books, or wait until Christmas when I asked for Girl Scout accessories. it was a magical time and worth the wait.
As an adult, it was a different kind of waiting: waiting for your baby to be born and he was a beautiful healthy boy.
Later, waiting for your child’s fever to break and soon he was playing outdoors again.
The hardest was waiting for your teenager to drive up the driveway after a late night concert. You trusted him, but your imagination had run wild. All was well and he made you proud of him throughout his life.
Often between the beginning and the end, there is the in-between. That is what I call waiting.
In Luke 13:6-8 Jesus told a parable about a man who had a fig tree that did not bear fruit for three years so he wanted to cut it down. The man who was taking care of the vineyard said to leave it alone for one more year. He would take care of it and wait and see if it would bear fruit or not. This is the waiting or the in-between.
Three years ago I had the awe- inspiring experience of visiting the Garden of Gethsemane. As I stood at the entrance I thought of Jesus, waiting for the apostles as they slept, waiting for the Romans to capture him, waiting for the trial, the crucifixion, death, burial, and in the end, a glorious resurrection.
It is during Lent that we wait. Then He is risen! Hallelujah!
Heavenly Father, give us the patience to wait and know how best to serve you and the wisdom to recognize the difference between what is and what could be. Amen.
First United Methodist Church of Marietta | 56 Whitlock Ave. | Marietta, GA 30064 US
