Tags
My watch stopped in the night. So when I put it on this morning, I paused but running late, I slipped it on and ran out the door. As the day progressed, I would glance at it (always thinking it was half past some hour). Thankfully I had no meetings to run off to, just work in my office. Otherwise, it might have been a rather interesting day.
It reminded me of a comment in small group this past week, where a mother spoke of her frustration with her children’s lack of understanding the concept of time. How long things take and adjusting accordingly.
When we are ‘in charge’ of our time, we are often less obsessive, yet when others become involved, often time becomes ‘of the essence’. We become frustrated with children who are oblivious to how long it will take you to drop them off and get to work. We frown at the loquacious woman in front of us in the Starbucks line. And we whine when God doesn’t move or respond when (and how) we want Him to.
I wonder if God feels the same about us? Does He shake His head when we don’t get how things flow in sequence? Does He curl up His lips when we try to rationalize our (in)actions in prayer? Does He shoot a glance toward Jesus when we again fail to do what He’s asked in His Word?
I know He’d be justified…at least with me. I know you have it altogether and get it right the first time…but there are a few of us who are slow on the uptake.
And in His mercy toward me – the one slow on the uptake – He uses His timing to remind me that He is in control of time, and that His timing is impeccable.
And although Timing may not be everything… but it’s a lot. And God’s timing, I’m learning, is impeccable.
Last Sunday, my small group leader slid into the seat beside me, and winked at me. Offering comfort in a time when I was teetering on the edge.
This Sunday, a stranger walks up to me and invites me to join her small group right after I’d learned that my group leader would be moving to California.
Just this moment as I was thinking about timing and the unsettled issues of my life (transition at work, ending apartment lease, etc) and the upcoming big presentations I have to make about teaching and research, a colleague walks in to tell me how great a job my former students are doing as student teachers.
God in a still small voice is reminding me that He knows exactly what I need (and regardless of the brave front that I put up) and will meet that need. That He is the shade at my right hand (Psalm 121). Not only does He watch over us, preventing harm, but He also provides comfort, hope, grace, peace.
