Changing What Waiting Looks Like Part 2

Knowing there is purpose in learning to wait changed waiting for me, but it still hasn't made me love it. Neither has looking for the lessons in it.

Still not a fan.

During my intense waiting curriculum, Father left me with the unmistakable knowledge that a LOT of His time involves waiting, and I'm so truly grateful for that inspired insight. For example...

• How long DOES it take for an earth to be ready for water? Light? Plants? Animals?

• How long does it take for the first humans to figure out they really need to eat that fruit?

• How long does it take to watch the dysfunctional covenant family throw their little brother in a pit, wait for one of them to prefer selling him over killing him, and then watch over him - the good boy - and them, the naughty boys? How long does it take for events to play out until Father has the good boy in a position to save the naughty boys and their families, and reconcile this family?

• How long does it take to plan and build a Star, and do the math and physics involved, to make sure said Star lands precisely when and where you need it to - on one specific night over one specific region of an entire planet? Seriously - the planning, the math, the physics, how long does that take?

• How long does it take for any one of Father's prodigal children to work themselves into a pig stye and look around for relief? How long does it take for them to consider Father again as a better option - the only option? How long does it take for his need to become desperate enough for him to come home - forget being an heir - happy to simply beg for a position in the household?

Anyone who aches for a spiritually lost loved one knows this, even as she waits for the change of heart: God's ability to influence His children's agency is truly His mightiest work.

Father's ability to fashion rescues from pits and prisons and pig styes is - without exception - the greatest of His miracles.

And why do the rescues take so long? Why does it feel like it's longer than getting someone out of prison or building a star? One word: agency.

Father honors individual agency above all else. Look what it cost Him to give it to us: the life and blood of His perfect Son. Because of that unspeakable cost, He will not force - C.S. Lewis writes that He will only woo. And with the myriad references to a yearning Bridegroom/Husband throughout the Old Testament, that's the word I like best. God woos His children with His goodness, His abundance, His unfailing mercy, His countless invitations to come home - invitations which will never be rescinded.

Father woos us to "win our souls with love." (Hymn 175, O God, the Eternal Father)

As someone who is waiting for this greatest of miracles, along with almost every single person I know, let me tell you THE Thing that has forever changed what waiting looks like for me.

Moroni writes about seeing things in reality which had previously only been seen with an eye of faith (Ether 12:19). Because I've experienced miracles, practicing seeing with this kind of faith, I was inspired one day last year to speak with gratitude as if the miracle - the rescue - was already under way.

Because, hello. That Star. WHEN did He start planning and building that Star?

No way was my dearest Father in Heaven - my God - Lord and King of the universe - sitting and waiting for the desired change of heart. Of course He has to wait for the agency - for the softened heart to reach out. But idle waiting? No way.

Can I imagine He's going to great lengths - every length - to allow life experiences to soften hearts? I've decided I can't even begin to comprehend what Father is up to, behind the scenes - make that - above the scenes - to facilitate the mighty rescues needed in the coming days.

And that's when I started doing two things differently in my waiting:

First, I started to thank Father - in advance - for the glorious rescue He is preparing. Saying it has taught me that there's power in exercising more than just an eye of faith. I love praising God with a tongue of faith - before the blessing ever comes.

And since I love to imagine Father behind the scenes going to great lengths to get one of His children to the right prison or pig stye, or less dramatically - the right job, or the right neighbor - I've found myself imagining Him in a workshop, fashioning a life path that will bring a wayward child to the important crossroad. I'm sure it's because the Dad here at Maple Tree Haven is often busily working on something out of sight in his workshop, admonishing us to STAY OUT because the surprise isn't finished yet.

Suddenly, the waiting takes on a feel of happy anticipation - what COULD He be doing down there? What will it look like? Then I like to imagine the look of pure - holy - delight in His face when the surprise comes - when the rescue happens - when the prodigal returns home.

In the meantime, maybe we who "wait upon the Lord" (Isaiah 40:31) can wait a little more like a wait staff in a fine restaurant - asking our ever busy, working Father - "What can I do for You? Whom can I love and serve, for You? Since I'm asking for circumstances that will tip the scale for my prodigal, can I be the one to tip the scale for somebody else?"

And that's the second thing that's changed waiting for me; it's less futile now. It's far more joyful, like waiting for Christmas to see what is being built in Father's incredibly busy workshop. And it's far more productive, because I'll tell you what - if you're willing to be God's little helper in the gathering - He has got stuff for you to do.

There are scales to be tipped, and helping God tip scales in His favor is a completely delightful enterprise. With so many needing to be gathered, there's simply no time to wait idly. God's not waiting; neither should we.