Patience

In the Waiting Room

Written by Jennifer Azubuike   While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. “Where is your wife, Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So, Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh. (Gen 18:7-15)   * * *   Physically, a waiting room is a place provided for people to wait for their turn for something, and everyone has used one at some point; either at the doctor’s office, the bus station or public restroom.    In life, this waiting room translates to a stretch of time a person waits for something they desire to happen. It could be for a job, a baby, a spouse, residence permit…the list goes on. For a Christian, the place of waiting is also a stretch of time to wait for something but in this case is believing God to do that thing of desire which he/she cannot do for themselves. I do not know a Christian who has not waited. Examples are also abundant in the scriptures.   The waiting room can be dark and lonely. Dark because you usually do not know when the waiting will end and lonely because  You may have kept it a secret, so nobody knows you need support  Some friends, family or acquaintance are privy to your situation but don’t know exactly how to help so they physically or emotionally distance themselves Some people are quite supportive but are fighting their own battles Some do not understand at all or may want to help but just end up hurting you with their actions or words (Remember Job’s wife?) People at their best can only support you in those times. The deal is still between you and God. Can I tell you why God makes us wait? Absolutely not! I don’t know. Infact, I sometimes imagine there is a long line of requests in heaven with all the prayers that go up from here, but I don’t really know the answer. Besides, Job’s reason of waiting was different from Joseph’s.   Here’s something I have learned though; with God the process of waiting is just as important as the desired goal or destination. If we allow it, the waiting period has the power to build, change, and teach us something valuable. In the meantime, to survive the waiting room. Pray. I mean never allow the coals on your prayer altar to grow cold. Jesus recommended that himself in Luke 18:1-8 Always remind yourself that Jesus already won the battle. Regardless of your troubles, He won! Finally, believe that Jesus will come through for you. Isaiah 43:31 says: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Till next time, Stay lifted. See other posts here

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The Lost Virtue of Patience

Written by Jennifer Azubuike “How long will it take?” Nina asked the young lady who just took her order. “About five minutes.” She replied with a smirk. Nina got the cue that she wanted her to step aside for the next customer, so she left the queue and walked to one of the empty chairs to sit. There was already a long line of people waiting to give orders or pick up whatever they ordered.  “Thank God it’s just coffee.” She sighed. Almost immediately a male voice started yelling at another man in front of him in the queue.  “Dude, that’s rude! You cannot cut in line like that!”  The guy being yelled at seemed completely oblivious to his angry counterpart who continued to rant and cause a scene. The angry man, probably frustrated that the offender is ignoring him, shoved the nonchalant guy. He turned around and faced him but was still not saying a word. His composure was as serene as a calm river on a Spring morning only looking surprised. Suddenly, Nina understood. She typically would not intervene in a fight involving strangers especially on a notorious street like Castro, but something moved her. As she rose to her feet, she heard her name. It was the waiter calling. She walked towards the counter instead to pick up her cup of coffee, but on her way out, she stopped in front of the party and turned towards the angry man whose wrath was beginning to lose steam.  “Sorry sir, but I had hoped you’d notice that the man you are yelling at is deaf.” Nina’s words caused a sudden hush. She stepped out of the store without another word.   Outside the cafe, she walked briskly to her car parked among other cars lining the side of the road bumper to bumper on either side. It was just as rowdy on the street as it was inside the cafe. Moving cars, motorbikes and bicycles struggled for the space left on the road while a flood of pedestrians avoided bumping into each other as they streamed up and down the walkway and in and out of stores.  Just as she got closer to her car a driver honked repeatedly. At first, Nina thought she was in the way of a car but when she looked up, the blasting horn was directed at another driver parallel parking into a spot. Almost immediately, this honking driver wound down his window and started raining curses and making foul gestures. Nina shook her head and got in her car. Anyone who has tried parking on a congested city street should know that parallel parking takes a few turns and a few minutes, so why the aggression? But just then her phone rang.  “You were supposed to change the engine oil, not the car engine. What’s taking you so long?” Her dad bellowed on the other end of the call. “Sorry Pa, the shop was low on technicians today, so the wait time was longer.” “Well, hurry up and get here. I don’t want to be late.” “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.” Nina replied before he hung up. She sighed. Fifteen minutes later, she drove up in front of their house. Her dad was already standing at the door with his briefcase. He started walking towards her the moment she pulled up, but mom came running behind him.  “Dan, wait, you left these papers on the table, and they look important.” She passed some papers to dad.    “Yea, I don’t need them. I left them on purpose.” He handed them back. “Are you sure you have everything you need?”  “I do.” He replied impatiently and started again towards the car, but his wife stopped him.  “You should go over those papers again to make sure you have everything. You know how important this deal is.” “Give it a rest. You think I don’t know? I have been working on this proposal for weeks and poured over it last night. I have everything I need.” He yelled at his wife and left her looking dejected while he matched towards the car.  Nina observed the interaction between her parents and shook her head again. Her dad got in the car, and she drove him to the office where he was to present his business proposal to some high-profile business moguls. The meeting will make a difference in whether dad’s business expands or closes down. After several applications, it was a miracle that dad was enlisted to vie for a contract.  Nina was waiting in the office lobby when a text from her dad popped in. “Hey, I will be out in five minutes.” She got into the car and started the engine as soon she saw her dad approaching. “Well?” Nina gazed at him expectantly when he entered. “I think I lost it.” “Meaning?”  “They loved my presentation and my business plan seemed to have impressed them, but I didn’t have my resume when they asked for it.” “Oh no! Is it at home? Can I go get it?” “It is no use. There are too many competitions. They have moved on to someone else.” “But mom said…” “I know what your mom said, and I regret not listening.” He said and buried his head in his hands. “I am a businessman. What do they need my resume for anyway?” “Will you be okay?” Nina was worried, but he did not reply to her. “Dad. I don’t think it is you, it must be something in the air.” “What does that mean?” He looked up at his daughter puzzled. “Everywhere I turn people seem intolerant of someone or something. As if something is making everyone on edge.” “Have I been on edge?” “A little, but it is not your fault.” Her father sighed. “Nini, I get it. You don’t have to be polite.”  “But it is not your fault…” “Honey, if everyone else is on edge, I ought to know better. Besides, I have

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