Seven minutes
It's not too short a time to wait.
I was in my room one day praying. As usual, I like to lock my door to prevent my kids from barging in. I had hardly started when I heard a gentle knock on my door. Just by the knock I could tell it was my little girl. Her knock is often subtle but persistent. The kind that never stops until a response is given. I immediately responded to her to come back later, and I was glad she stopped knocking.
Shortly afterwards, I heard her knock again, and this time I was furious. I shouted back at her to go away. Then she busted out in tears. This got me worried, as I hurried to open the door. She definitely is in some kind of trouble I thought to myself.
I opened the door to see this pretty innocent face looking at me with tears in her eyes. What do you want? I queried.
Mum, I have been waiting outside for seven mins!.
Seven minutes? Is that even a long time? I chuckled.
Yes, Mum, it is really a long wait and my feet are beginning to ache.
I eventually opened my door and she came in.
As we chatted in my room, I had a deep reflection about her actions.
Is seven minutes really a long time to wait on something or someone? Was she not just been dramatic or petty?
I realised however, that indeed the length of a wait might not necessarily determine the measure of pain we feel. Waiting periods could be unbearable, whether short or long. It is only the person in the waiting room that understands.
So I resolved never to perceive anyone’s waiting period as insignificant. Everyone has a threshold. Everyone deserves an answer as quick as possible.
Pray:
Dear Lord, I know it feels like I haven’t been in this waiting room for so long. People might want to compare me with others, other could even criticise my impatience.
But lord, you know where the shoe hurts. Please hear my cry! Amen.
