Patience, My Darling.

Dear Reader:

            I am not a naturally patient person.

            Nearly everyone you talk to will tell you that. Honestly, who wants to wait for something they really want? It’s not fun. Ever since we were little kids, we’ve been a part of an “I WANT IT NOW” society. If you think about it, it’s what we’re raised to believe. Surely, if we have the latest model of phone or car, the nicest house, the most friends, then happiness and fulfillment will be ours, and it will happen instantaneously.

            Except… that anybody who has lived for more than twenty-four hours will agree with me that, unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Life is hard, confusing, and stressful. Sometimes, we set our gaze on a certain dream and the rug gets yanked out from under our feet. We don’t like to step back and trust God’s timing, do we? But ultimately, his perfect plan will be fulfilled for our lives. We can either go kicking and screaming, or we can take a deep breath, shake off our feelings of self-doubt and frustration, and take our Lord’s hand, to let him lead us.

            Like I said, I’m not patient, though. Sometimes it hurts to watch our closest friends grow up, to mature and be given things for which we are still waiting. We feel slighted, put out, and left behind. It’s frustrating, and it threatens to make us bitter and jealous. But for every opportunity that passes by us, God has something so much more beautiful in mind.

            Have you ever watched a preschool class wait in line? There is no concept of “taking turns”. The kiddos can’t seem to understand that everyone will get their chance, and it will go much more smoothly if they can just have a little patience. They all whine and push and shove, and the whole situation becomes chaos.

            But you know what? Sometimes it simply isn’t our turn. We lose the championship. We miss catching the bouquet at a friend’s wedding. A flight is cancelled. A letter never comes. We’re stuck on the near side of an experience we’ve dreamed about, with no way in our own power to make it happen.

            My best friend beautifully portrayed the concept:

“Someone close to your heart crosses a bridge

It's not time for you to follow.

Do you ask them to come back and visit,

Or do you let them go?

Do they want you to help them along,

Or do they need to break free and start down a new path alone?

How do you know?

Is it time to say goodbye,

At least partially? 

Or is it time for hello,

We've got so much more ahead?

You want what's best for them,

You want to help them with life on the other side of the bridge.

Is that by letting go,

Or is it by promising you'll reach across and hold on?

How do you know?

Someone you hold close crosses a bridge.

It's not your turn to go.

Does it hurt because part of your heart goes with them? 

Or because you know,

That part has to stay behind?”

            So we’re still on this side of the bridge. Maybe it’s in a relationship that you wish could be so much more. Or possibly you’re just not quite old enough to fulfill a dream. Here, on this side, we have two options. Either we can sit on the side and pout because we are where we are, or we can shake off the impatience and make the best of right now. God knows what he’s doing. And when it’s your turn, the way across the bridge will be clear. It might not be easy, but it will be open.

            So until then, have patience, my darling.

           

Until next time,

                        Brooklyn