I grew up in a small town where Christmas lights went up along the streets, the day after Halloween. All the angels and snowmen smiling down, put you in the mood for Christmas. Plus, seeing the garland around the light posts meant it was time to get the Christmas tree down from the attic and fluff! (Side note: If you’ve never fluffed a tree, you’re not missing anything.) Yeah, we took decorating seriously.
Then it was time to change the radio station to Christmas music, and to write out my letter to Santa. I knew whose hands that list needed to land in. Then my siblings and I played the waiting game…55 days until Christmas… 54… 53… Time moved so slowly!
This same story of “hurry up and wait” has been a common occurrence for me as I’ve grown up. Sometimes we wait with anticipation, like for Christmas, to celebrate Jesus’ birth. But oftentimes, waiting is hard and painful. Maybe you’ve been waiting…asking God for a wife, to have a child, or maybe you’ve lost your job and see no prospects for a new one.
So what do you do when it feels like all you can do is wait?
Be joyful in hope.
Be glad for all God is planning for you. I bet his plan is better than what we would come up with for ourselves. Remember that his plan is perfect.
Be patient in affliction.
Remember that God’s plan is always worth the cost of the delay. Be patient.
Be faithful in prayer.
God craves conversation with you. No matter what you’re going through or waiting for, talk it out with him. Allow him time and room to point you to what’s most important this Christmas.