Some years ago after a trip abroad, I stepped off the plane excited to be back in my country. I was told that someone would be there to pick me up for the short twenty minute drive to my home. I had plans for the rest of my day, and sitting at the airport for three hours waiting to be picked up was not one of them; but that’s what the rest of my day turned out to be.
I was assured and reassured that someone was on their way to get me. As I waited, I saw that people who came in on later flights than me didn’t have the wait that I did. Even the ones who sat out on the benches with me were eventually greeted by a smiling face and someone there to whisk them off to wherever their next stop was. I was the last one waiting, as even the airport staff were making preparations to leave for the day.
Someone did eventually show up for me, but by then I was sad, and felt despondent and humiliated. I felt unloved and uncared for.
In His gentle voice, (that small voice that we can hear when we still our hearts and minds and pay attention)(a), the Holy Spirit has drawn similarities between that afternoon and the waiting season that my husband and I are in at the moment. We have been praying for some specific things, and we wait for HIs answer that seems to be long in coming.
He has reassured me that the God who loves us immeasurably, has already made arrangements for us to walk in the fullness of those plans that He has for us, and those plans cannot fail(b). He told me not to look at others who seem to be on their way already, who’ve been picked up and have gone to do their thing; not to focus on those who don’t have to wait as long as we do – because His love and His purpose are steadfast and sure.
“Keep on waiting”, He said, “for your ride is coming in its proper time. Keep on doing the good you know to do, putting your feet where I tell you to put them, and in My timing you will see that the waiting was not in vain.”
God is not a man, that He should lie,
Numbers 23:19 NASB1995
Nor a son of man, that He should repent;
Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
Waiting is part of all of our stories. It is hard, taxing, and sometimes long and painful. Through the memory of this story I am reminded of God’s character: that He cannot lie(c); He is love; He sees the end game – and time is in His hands(d).
This memory is now serving the greater purpose of pointing me to look at who God is and how He loves us. The feeling of being unloved and uncared for is no longer wrapped up with recollection of the story because now it is infused with God’s promise that waiting on Him is never in vain.
If you find yourself in that place of waiting, I encourage you to look to the Father’s character, to believe that all things are working together for your good, as He promised, even if you can’t see it yet, and that His timing is perfect. The wait doesn’t mean that you are unloved or uncared for; it means the table is being prepared for you(e). You are loved so much more than you know.
While you wait, enjoy the moments, the people, the place where you are. Keep doing what He’s asked you to do today. The plan has been made and is laid out for you. Your ride is coming. And it will be right on time!(f)
© Debbie Mendoza, June 2022
Related Scripture verses: (a) 1 Kings 19: 11-13 (b) Philippians 1:6 (c) Numbers 23:19 (d) Psalms 31:15 (e) Psalm 23:5 (f) Lamentations 3: 25-26
Debbie Mendoza 