A small tale of patience.
I work in a place designed to help young people between 16 and 18 into an apprenticeship. From the time they join the programme they have two to three months to find an apprenticeship with our help. Those who are keen and job ready, however, will more or less get and maximise opportunities within a month to six weeks. Due to the nature of the programme, if you do not have the qualities already to excel in the workplace and you don’t have the aptitude you’ll soon get the hint and leave anyway.
Among the groups of people that have started here there was one learner in particular who stood out from the others. She had been in the programme longer than anyone else with the exception of two others. She had gone to interview after interview and despite promising performances she just missed out on getting those apprenticeships time after time. It was not for want of trying and her general demeanour and work ethic on the programme was exemplary. As a result all the staff was desperate for her to get one as she deserved it more than anyone else. While others who hadn’t shown as much commitment or were plainly ill-equipped were being noticed and got jobs, she was being overlooked. Yet even though the programme was completely voluntary, she chose to turn up day after day and week after week. It may have got her down, but she still persisted.
As I recall, patience was not one of the biggest qualities that marked me out as a teenager or marked people as teenagers in general. So for her to be dogged in her attendance and participation was an outstanding display from her. Today she went for an interview for the umpteenth opportunity and sure enough (you know how these stories are set up) she was successful in gaining the apprenticeship. She had glowing feedback from the employer and was chosen ahead of others who may have had qualifications or more experience but didn’t exhibit those vital qualities that she had borne out in her weeks and months of perseverance.
When she shared the news the staff were overjoyed for her. We celebrate everyone who gets an apprenticeship, but this one had a taste of something extra special. It was not so much a testament to her abilities, her skills and what she would offer. It was more a testament to her patient endurance.
Waiting on God is not about showing off what abilities, skills or other qualities I have to offer. Neither is it about moping about being moody about things not working my way. It takes a special insight to allow a person to remain persistent in the light of knock-backs, it takes something special to persevere in trying times. When God shows up – as He does – He is rewarding that special something that He has placed within us to meekly wait and murmur not.
Thus I am reminded again of that noble phrase that albeit non-biblical expresses godly wisdom that truly all good things will come to those who wait.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
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