Playing the Waiting Game

Do you know how to play to win the waiting game?

When I was a child, along with my two siblings, there were times where we had the ‘joy’ of accompanying my parents to one of the homes of their friends. Their friends didn’t have children our age. This was the time before electronic devices were available as they are now. That meant we had to suck it up and wait for our parents to finish having their chinwag with their friends. I say parents, but more often than not it was my Mum we were waiting for. The part of the conversation that got us excited was the indication that it was time to go – various phrases would give a hint at that like, ‘get your coats, children’. Yet for as many of those indicator phrases were given, there was the reality that this could have been the precursor for a further conversation that would probably in reality take about ten or fifteen minutes, for us as children though that might as well be an eternity. The groan we made (of course inwardly, we didn’t want to get in trouble) was a sign of our growing exasperation that the agony would have to endure. Finally the conversation would definitively come to a proper and complete conclusion and we could make our merry way home.

I can tell you for a fact, I never liked those times at all. The memory of them makes me have that same groan and shudder inside. I can to a degree empathise with my own daughters who may at times have to wait for an extended period of time whilst  … Anyway, I can empathise.

The thing that kept us going while we waited back then was the knowledge of leaving that situation to get to a better one. That’s why there was no point kicking up a fuss with our parents at the time, it wouldn’t change the situation for the better. In fact it would have made matters worse when we got back to the better place. It made sense to keep in mind the better place we were heading for whilst dealing with the pain of the place we were in. It was playing the waiting game that allowed us to survive back in the day.

Today, I am of the impression that I am just about that age where I don’t have to endure waiting for Mum like I used to in those circumstances. Although nowadays the exercise in playing the waiting game is usually in effect with regards to certain meetings. It takes much to endure those meetings of various kinds and keep a sane and moderate head. What helps in those settings is the knowledge that enduring that situation will lead to ending up in a better situation. That quality of endurance, perseverance and patience would make the ordeal worthwhile.

It’s not just about the ‘grinning and bearing it’ aspect, it’s genuinely letting the knowledge of the better situation positively influence the approach to the current situation. That in itself can lead to an arrangement where even that tedious situation can have its own benefits.

I was reminded in Hebrews 11 that the Faith Hall of Fame was made up of characters who knew that they were just passing through whilst waiting for the promise that was beyond them. They allowed faith to allow them to make the most of their situation whilst looking forward to a better situation ahead.

Oh for the grace to exercise the faith to play and win the waiting game.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden