So many people seem to be waiting.
- A good friend is waiting in ICU with her seriously ill husband
- My son is waiting for complete healing and a blood clot to dissolve
- Another friend’s son is waiting anxiously for a job opening
- My nephew is waiting for the day his bride walks down the aisle – 46 days
- I am waiting for the final author proof of my newest book
Waiting for answers. Waiting for circumstances to change. Waiting for life to move forward.
The word that comes to mind is “frenemy.” One of those complex thoughts where writers like me often dwell.
A frenemy is a person we invite into our inner circle as a friend, yet we may dislike many of their qualities. Frenemies seem to be on our side, then they turn on us.
Bringing the concept of waiting into personification makes it a frenemy.
In hindsight, we know waiting helps our faith grow. Yet enduring the days and weeks of tested patience seems to play on the negative side of this oxymoron.
Living in limbo, waiting for the outcome, for the answered prayer.
In the waiting, we are proven.
How do we stay in hope while the frenemy of waiting besieges us, steals time and forces us to dig deeper into endurance?
I only know what works for me:
- Admit I am impatient.
- Call the frenemy of waiting what it is.
- Re-read my journals about past times of waiting: 10 years for a healthy child, 3 years to sell a house, another 10 years to complete and publish a book.
- Remember God is timeless. He defines “soon” with eternal measurements.
- Try to learn the lesson of patience—again.
And when I scrape the bottom of my endurance barrel, I repeat Psalm 43:5, “Hope in God for I will yet praise Him.”
I find hope as I live in the “yet.”
©2018 RJ Thesman – All Rights Reserved
If you’re in a waiting period and scraping the bottom of your endurance barrel, consider a read-through of Hope Shines – nuggets of encouragement for weary souls.
Very accurate description of frenimy!
Thanks, Sally. Kind of an interesting oxymoron !
Sunday I went to a wedding shower for Ethan and Hanna at my church. It was a fun shower. I sat with Kris so we could chat. After the opening of gifts Ethan and Hanna shared with us where they are in life, what the plans are, and how they met. It was fun to hear them share. I’m happy for them. They mentioned the 46 days. They may not think so, but they will fly by quickly. I hope your three projects are coming right along. Elfrieda
Thanks so much, Elfrieda. I’m glad you enjoyed the shower. I’m going to copy you on an email so you can pray for Caleb. Thx !
Thanks for a fine post… And for expanding my vocabulary!
Always new words to learn !
Good stuff, Maynard!
thank you! Appreciate the comment!
“In the waiting, we are proven.” Exactly the words I needed today. Thanks, sister.
You are welcome! Praying for you in the Waiting Room !