As we age, patience grows. It is merely because times goes by more quickly. Our recognition of the time we spend waiting is relatively constant in our minds but now this “time” actually takes much longer. Ironically our frustration remains; the lessons of yesterday appear to remain in yesterday’s mind so we blissfully proceed with their repetition today.
I am a lucky father. I remember the tactics. First the question repeated within increasing frequency – “are we there yet”? It was as if by asking we were decreasing the time until we arrived. When this move did not produce the correct result, very rare, then we began to fidget with the ash-tray lid. Only those who sat by the window could do this which in turn had set everyone on edge because we had fought for the view as we began the trip. Naturally mother, father, two brothers, and my self were already on edge even before the first mile had past! If the questions and fidgeting didn’t work then the only recourse was to pick a fight. If in doubt, either brother would do. I am lucky because my kids seem to either have more patience or have accepted the inevitable time it takes to get from point A to B.
How my parents survived I am not really sure.
Ironically I have grown up with the idea that God was going to come back to be physically reunited with you and me at any time, in fact in the near future. I understood this as long as I can remember but it doesn’t seem as fresh anymore. I do not believe I have become more patient, rather I think I have merely learned to accept the inevitable. Or have I?
“Enoch, the seventh after Adam, prophesied of them: ‘Look! The Master comes with thousands of holy angels.’” (Jude 1.14) He prophesied and we wait. The difference is that waiting doesn’t have to be sitting still. Waiting can involved compassion, making a difference, doing something for another. That is exactly what I plan to do today.
