waiting

I had been waiting for a good time to clean out the office closet. Is there ever a good time for such a task? Then yesterday afternoon I suddenly found myself doing it, almost by accident, and I decided that's kind of how those types of projects go. It was a thoughtless step of obedience, if you will… obedience to the duties of homemaking.

As I began sorting through some little clothes that were in that closet, it amazed me how holding up 0-3 month onesies and sleepers, 6-9 month dresses and tees, shoes in sizes 4 and 5… took me back to where we were when Ivory and Titus wore them. Ivory’s little shirts were ones I washed and hung out many times in Ixtlán, and are mostly destroyed from hours of crawling on concrete floors. Titus’s clothes were newborn sweatpants that I remember wearing on him when we lived in the U.S. during the summer of 2014. As I unfolded and re-folded clothes, I was right there, in those places… thinking back to other times when we took more important steps of blind obedience, wondering where they would lead.

Some led us through things I’m thankful for, but would never choose to do again. Some led us places I wish I could have stayed forever. Sometimes, those things and places were one and the same. But we believed, and still do believe, that they were places of obedience.

We regularly find ourselves at intersections in life where we stop and wonder… should we go? should we wait? should we act? should we move? Or should we stay? Sometimes, it’s the staying that’s the hardest part. Sometimes, I believe that not doing anything is actually even harder than doing something! And so we find ourselves at that point again… and again… and again.

And sometimes, that is the answer… to just keep doing what we are doing. This all came together for me last night in church, when we read in I Thessalonians 4:

“but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” (I Thessalonians 4:10-12)

We are to just keep walking every step with him, and there will be lack of nothing. Whatever it is that you’re waiting for, worship Him while you wait – don’t turn to the right or to the left. Just keep walking… toward Him.

“I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait
Yes, I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience…”

- John Waller, 'While I'm Waiting'