This morning I was expecting a phone call. Lee is about fourteen hours ahead of me, so last I had heard he had a full day with nothing scheduled. Surely he would have sent an email or been able to call. As the morning passed, I sat by the computer in case he might call. I didn’t get the things done that I needed to. I did sit and read my Bible, so God was helping me even as I was impatiently waiting.
I asked a friend to pray with me. As she did, I was reminded that waiting is serving, too, and I remembered this poem by Milton, speaking of his blindness:
| WHEN I consider how my light is spent | |
| E’re half my days, in this dark world and wide, | |
| And that one Talent which is death to hide, | |
| Lodg’d with me useless, though my Soul more bent | |
| To serve therewith my Maker, and present | 5 |
| My true account, least he returning chide, | |
| Doth God exact day-labour, light deny’d, | |
| I fondly ask; But patience to prevent | |
| That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need | |
| Either man’s work or his own gifts, who best | 10 |
| Bear his milde yoak, they serve him best, his State | |
| Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed | |
| And post o’re Land and Ocean without rest: | |
| They also serve who only stand and waite. |
Then I remembered that I must serve the Lord with gladness, which means I must wait with gladness, too. And Lee called. He arrived safe at his duty station and is going to sleep, because he has a busy day ahead of him.Next time, perhaps I’ll do a better job trusting the Lord and cheerfully waiting.
And yes, we talked about cheerfully waiting at breakfast. It’s a good lesson for children, too.
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