This week’s Five Minute Friday prompt is on the wordĀ wait.
I asked Him to give me a story…something I hadn’t thought of for years and He delivered.
I remembered a summer just before my senior year of high school and how glorious it was to be able to drive all over to do whatever I wanted. I spent a lot of time running my mom’s tires down to the repair shop to be fixed. I don’t remember why those stinkin’ things kept having issues, but it seemed like every time I’d go out to take the car somewhere there would be a flat tire.
I’d stop what I was doing, put the spare on and throw the bum tire in the trunk to take it to get it fixed. Ā I didn’t mind the chore at all, but IĀ was such an introvert that I didn’t want to spend time chatting up the mechanic at the shop.
I look back on that time and feel slightly sorry for myself asĀ I tried to avoid community. How easy it was to just be polite, but essentially turn my back on someone who could’ve used an uplifting conversation. I had plenty of people in my life I felt comfortable around. Why did I need any more?
Over the last couple of years God finally taught me a lesson. He showed my stubborn heart how important it is to look around when I’m in the waiting season instead of retreating to a favorite hiding place. Ā He taught me to take notice of who’s around me. Shake hands and exchange more than just simple pleasantries, but stories of struggle and faith and redemption.
The waiting room has shaped me. Has it shaped you?
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Wait
Start:
“If you wait a minute I’ll fix your tire right up so you don’t have to drive back down here when it’s done.”
I nodded my head at that familiarĀ gentleman with the pleasant smile, wearing the bib overalls with stains all down the front.Ā He recognized me because I was here quite often.
I was polite, yetĀ just wanted to retreat back into my own space without a word. So I compromised and sat on the front stoop of the old auto repair shop, waiting forĀ that tire to beĀ fixed.
I could’ve chatted with him. I could’ve done something during the wait. Made him feel encouraged. Brightened up his long day in that shop all by himself.
But I made sure to keep my distance.Ā
I didn’t want to wait.Ā Waiting meant wasting my time.Ā
***
I think back on that time, nearly 20 years ago.Ā Such a bubbly personality but inclined to keep hidden from the world so I wouldn’t have to become acquainted with it.
I liked consistency. I liked a routine with no surprises and certainly no change…
You think you can hide the traits you don’t want anyone to see. But He sees them. He knew that during the wait I’d be forced to come out of my shell. His plan might not have unfolded all the way, but He made sure that as I lingered I spent my time becoming comfortable in my own skin.
Forming new relationships. Learning to talk about my faith. Sitting myself right down in the middle of community…with women I didn’t know.
He knew what to do in the waiting. I used to think the waiting room was a placeĀ I couldĀ ponder. Reflect. It gave meĀ a chance to stop what I wasĀ doing as IĀ sat in those uncomfy chairs, drinking the too-strong-coffee…staring at myĀ watch to see how long I’dĀ been there. Ā
And how much longer I’d remain.
But the room wasn’t designed for that. Others wait in this room, too. It was designed for us to get up and be social. Share a story or two and compare notes about life. Where we’re going and where we’ve been.
Waiting is useful. He showed me this. He showed me just how much can be accomplished in a season of “soon…but not yets.” Just when I thought I was stagnant…with no growth – He showed me thatĀ I’m stretched in the waiting. Shaped in the waiting. I am never supposed to be complacent and take cover somewhere to wait out the process.
I’ve learned a lot in the waiting – about myself.Ā About others.
It slowed me down… Made me share. Made me…wait.
Stop.
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Won’t you join me this week forĀ Five Minute Friday over at Kate Motaung’s page?Ā Ā We’d love to see you there! Ā Just familiarize yourself with this page first,Ā no editing, and set your watch for five minutes.
I like this take on waiting, the concept of the Waiting Room.
I also tend to avoid community; part of it is that my past profession of arms is still apparent, and makes people a bit uncomfortable.
I don’t WANT to make people to be uncomfortable, and if I sequester myself, I figure I’m sparing them the trouble.
But I’m also taking an opportunity from them, because i do have something to give…and I’m taking from them THEIR opportunity to give.
You made me think. Glad I’m here (from FMF).
Thank you for joining me today, Andrew. I remember the last time you visited and your comment now makes me think just as much as it did that day a few months back. It’s a pleasure getting to know you in our spaces on the web.
Love your post. Love the idea of being stretched and shaped by waiting. Thank you. {A FMF friend}
Thank you for stopping by!
Yes! I share some of that experience. For me it’s usually the waiting room for a doctor’s office. Like you, I’m an introvert and am not comfortable chatting with people I don’t know well. But God has stretched me through giving me opportunities to meet new people and make new friends, and I try to use that to serve Him better.
Thanks for linking this to FMF. š
Thank you for your words. And your example of a doctor’s office is exactly right… A place where we are all waiting together, yet seldom take the time to acquaint ourselves with our “neighbors” in waiting. Thank you for visiting today!
It has been a joy to spend this waiting season virtually hanging out with you!
Thank you so much, Jennifer!
I really enjoyed this post. I too tend to keep to myself, but I realized that as I sat there thinking about things that are going on in my life, that person across from me is dealing with something too, and just a smile and short friendly conversation can make all the difference. Thanks for sharing!! Your neighbor at FMF.
Praise God that He wastes nothing- even the waiting room time! Your post truly spoke to me as I tend to hide away when things aren’t going well or when I’m waiting … These words are perfect: ‘He showed my stubborn heart how important it is to look around when Iām in the waiting season instead of retreating to a favorite hiding place.” Thanks for another great post- your words and message are always so powerful. Blessings~
Thank you, Karen!!!
Oh friend… I love this… and I love that however it happened, He brought you here –sharing your life with us! (And I am so excited – all over again – about Jumping Tandem! Honestly – I was just starting to talk myself out of it for all of the reasons that you mentioned above… š You talked me back down and reminded me that even if I am uncomfortable – It’s not about me –and He told me to go!) Whew!
I promise you that I will be a nervous mess before I leave my house to drive to Nebraska – but I AM GOING! And you are, too. And we can say ” ‘sup?” š