In a generation referred to by some as a "microwave generation" because of how much we're bent on doing things as fast as possible, though that in itself isn't really a horrible thing, patience has become one of the hardest options out there.
Recently, I began to realise that there are few things as painful as waiting—especially in situations where you have the means to get something done.
At those points where everything within you screams "move!", maybe out of the fear that you'd miss out on an opportunity, or out of the great desire to know and to settle things, the voice of God beckoning on you to wait can be one of the most painful things.
Personally, patience has never been a forte of mine. But I'd always known that the father would never leave me half-baked, and that I'd get my own customised lesson someday. In this season of my life, I'm currently in the classroom being thought this wonderful virtue in the most practical way possible. And I know there'll be many more to come.
My inference: it hurts like hell.
The waiting period is one filled with truckloads of uncertainty and perhaps pain. It's the place where you ask God over and over again "Are we done yet? I'm not sure if I can take it anymore!"
However, something even more beautiful about it is that it's also the place where our passions are purified, strength is restored, capacity is increased, and our hearts are more fine-tuned to grasp the desires of God's heart.
I have been brooding recently on the significance of time-skips in movies or animated series. You know, when you see something like "6 years later", and the characters are all grown up and different (most of them successful). And these days, after seeing how painful waiting can be, watching such lengthy periods of time portrayed as something minute makes me cringe heavily. Though, I've learnt to accept that it's why movies are movies. But as humans, we're not able to skip to our "6 years later" like we'd want to. We have to face every single 2191 days in those 6 years, and what they bring: the lessons, joys, heartaches and feelings of loss.
While this in itself is daunting, I daily remind myself that they're what make our stories worthwhile. Being able to look into the past, and see yourself as you truly are—a miracle in progress—and knowing that every chapter that makes up the story of your life is a vivid reminder and testament to the truth: that some things, beloved, take time.
Finally, I want you to be encouraged. Yes, the waiting period is long and oftentimes unbearable. But you'll go through it anyways, and come out beautiful. The father has only good thoughts towards you—plans to prosper you, and give you an expected future. You need not be afraid that his plans would bring you harm. Only trust. He loves you more than you could ever love yourself.
You are loved without limit.
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