The Waiting Game

"Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised." Hebrews 6:15


This verse caught my attention during my morning devotions today.  Now, I haven't had to wait as long as Abraham did, for anything.  But recently, my patience has been tested, and I'm afraid it has been found wanting.  Today I'm not referring to patience as a parenting strength.  That is another subject altogether, and one I also believe I have been lacking.  As I said, however, that is not the subject today.  


You see, my husband and I made a decision late last year to have a house built.  We chose the lot and the building began in mid February of this year.  I have been thoroughly enjoying watching the process, and taking pictures to add to my facebook page to share with those who cannot see it in person.  As the progress slowed, or so it seemed, and there wasn't always new things to photograph, I started becoming anxious for the house to be finished, since it seemed very livable and almost done for some time.  I guess don't put me in charge of the detail work, it might not get done!  


At last, the house is finished.  The carpet is laid, it is all painted, doors are up, appliances are in, and the sod has been laid in the front yard and seed in the back.  The house is finished.  And here I find I am the most impatient of all.  Waiting.  Waiting for something I cannot see, and I have no control over:  paperwork.  While I know that our process has gone very smoothly in comparison to other banks and others buying homes, I find I am annoyed and impatient over the small delays we have experienced.  


The other thing I find is that I am a pessimist.  Maybe more of a realist?  I don't know.  I used to think I was more of an optimist, but I have to change my mind.  Looking back, I've always been this way.  I make predictions based on the bad that can happen, not the good.  Like the times we could have closed on the house, each day we were told it was possible, I predicted that it would not happen, and so far I've been right.  I use the excuse that I don't want to get my hopes up, but I have to admit that I do anyway, and then I am far more disappointed.  


So as I sit here in our temporary 600 (approx.) square foot apartment, next to my daughter napping in her swing, I think to myself "will we really be in the new house by this weekend?"  And for the first time in this whole process, I think it actually might happen.  We've waited (somewhat) patiently, and we WILL receive what the Lord promised us.  And that, thank the Lord, applies not only to this house on this earth, but our permanent home in heaven.