Waiting, Waiting, Waiting...

Does anyone remember the theme song for the old television western, Rawhide? (That's dating me, I know.) "Roll'em, Roll'em, Roll'em..." That melody circles around my brain like the wagons circled around for protection during the night stops.



Why is it so difficult to wait? Remember waiting for Christmas when you were a kid? Or for your birthday? Agonizing...then suddenly it was here...and then it was over! Even as adults we prepare for a special event like an anniversary or Christmas, and then realize, suddenly it seems,
it's over.



Or a pregnant woman waiting for the delivery of her child. Talk about waiting! Then, suddenly,
the pangs begin and the waiting is over. Years ago, when a friend was seriously overdue, I stumbled onto a great "waiting" verse that describes it well:



"This vision-message is a witness
pointing to what's coming.
It aches for the coming--it can hardly wait!
And it doesn't lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait.
It's on its way. It will come right on time"
(Habakkuk 2:3, The Message).



I've been playing the waiting game lately.



I'm waiting with the rest of my family, for the sale of our house, so we can get on with the excitement of choosing a new house in a new town in a new state. There have been some
lookers but no offers yet. Roller-coaster time. We get the call. The realtor wants to bring clients through. Grab up the laundry; stuff it in the washing machine. Check the table tops;
look under the edge of the bed. Turn on all the lights for that warm ambience (but turn on
the A/C because it's pushing 90 outside). Ready, set, get out of the way...



I'm waiting for the release of a revised edition my book: ENDING ELDER ABUSE: A Family Guide, promised for months, scheduled momentarily. Each rumble of the UPS truck sends me running to the door to peek for a large carton on the doorstep...



And just this morning, following a chronological Bible reading plan, I came to the now-familiar
Habakkuk passage and thrilled with recognition. Prophetic for me? Maybe today? Not really, but the concept is surely applicable. Wait for it...wait for it...it will surely come, and suddenly
the waiting will be over and we'll be into the next step, whether it is promoting a book, or committing to a new house purchase and finalizing the logistics of relocating...



What are you waiting for? Wait for it...It will come...suddenly...