Love in the waiting

So up to this point, we have talked about a lot of things men need to do to become closer to God.  And as men we tend to think that waiting is passive and we can only become better if we are actively doing work.  However, this is not true.  Not only are things happening in the waiting, but God shows us His love and mercy while we are waiting.  

Waiting is difficult.  Sometimes it is stressful.  Waiting for the adoption to be finalized, test results, for lab work to come back, for the loved one to return from deployment.  To hear back on a job application is one of the ones that I have the most experience with and the most difficulties with.  At the time of writing this, in the past year I have sent out 52 job applications. It is not always easy to point fingers at whys and hows and whos for not getting one of these positions.  But God is still with me and blessing my family while we are waiting.  

The unexpected bonus check that my wife received, the pizza that one of my co-workers bought for my family "just because", the unexpected and impromptu date night that the in-laws provide.  God is in and behind each and every one of these.  You can almost see Him saying, "Yes, it is hard, but I am still here and loving you".  

Please remember that while we are waiting, we are in good company.  Nobody likes to be reminded of how long they are waiting for something, but look at this: Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90 before they had Issac, Issac and Rebekah waited 24 years to hold their twin boys, David waited around 17 years after he was anointed by Samuel to become king of Israel.  Jesus waited 33 years to start His ministry.  On and on.  

You can find verse after verse of waiting in the bible.  Probably the most quoted verse about waiting, Isaiah 40:31 "But those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint".  NKJV  God loves us in the waiting, even when we are frustrated with it.  Being a man of God means that we can wait patiently for God to give us His best.  

Because His best is better than we can imagine.