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Day 21: The Great Wait


April 5, 2020


Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of waiting. Trying to fall asleep on Christmas Eve, the drive to my cousin’s house (“Are we there yet?”), waiting for Dixie Dog’s 9 puppies to be born, all stretched my young patience to the limit. One such experience was helping my dad assemble a “snap up” swimming pool in the backyard. I recall waiting for what felt like HOURS for it to be ready. It goes without saying that it was HOT during this process. (Texas... summer... and usually July before we convinced him we really needed a $10 pool) But my dad was not one to rush through and do a half way job. He also never said “Hey, y’all go sit inside in the air conditioning while I put this together.” First we had to scour the area for things that could potentially poke a hole in the bright blue lining of the pool. Then my sister and I would help him form a circle with the flimsy siding, spreading our little arms as wide as we could to keep it upright as he draped the lining over it then snapped a plastic lip around the circumference of the pool. Once this (NOT smooth or quick) step was over it was time to fill the pool. Talk about a LONG wait... We were usually sunburned before we even got to swim. But my most vivid memory is that of leaping into the pool, screaming and laughing and how great the cold water felt after the eternal waiting. Helping my dad with this taught me so many lessons. (Thanks, Dad!) The obvious lesson is about the waiting, but I also learned that while helping put the pool up was hard work, it made the waiting go faster and made the reward that much sweeter. I also figured out the importance of a smooth and carefully planned foundation. One pine cone or stick under the pool spelled potential disaster. While waiting for the quarantine (Stay Home-Be Safe) to end I’m working on teaching online, my blog, the house, the laundry and of course the great toilet paper hunt. I’m waiting but I’m not idle. And thankfully, I’m not alone. My family is here (hence, the great toilet paper hunt) and God is definitely here watching over all of us. When “the great wait" is over and we get to click “play” on our normal lives, the rewards will be great (lives saved, lessons learned) and the thankfulness and appreciation we feel for the things we used to take for granted will overflow our hearts. (Much like the time we accidentally left the hose on in the pool.) Galatians 6:9 says: “And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.” And Isaiah 40:31 promises this: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Trust God and wait with hope. Smile and be joyful!
Link to a good old Sunday church song (the video is not great but it is a beautiful rendition of the song):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaXRKFKtDv8



Comments

  1. clayyoung1979April 5, 2020 at 9:05 AM

    Very good as usual made me know that for all good things we must wait.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownApril 5, 2020 at 9:31 AM

    I love the story and your wonderful message today, as usual!!

    ReplyDelete

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