Waiting Is The Hardest

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the Lord.

Let me paint you a picture-

Construction worker is on location, a site that he has been working at his entire life. The project is supposedly coming along smoothly, but it is very apparent that it is nowhere complete. He gets frustrated at times but steps back on occasion and looks over the parts that are finished. A sense of accomplishment and joy fills his heart. It's these moments that get him through the next daunting task.

Today is no different from yesterday. He woke up, drank some coffee, bowed his head and was out the door. Upon arriving on site, he gets word that upper-upper management is walking the grounds and chatting with employees. He gets himself looking good, ya know-slicks the hair, straightens the beard, pops a mint or two, and washes what will come off his hands, off...and begins to think about what he'll say. Should he mention some minor offenses or tiny complaints? Dare he brag about his talents and abilities and skills? Maybe hint at the fact that he could use a raise? All these thoughts rush back and forth through his mind as he strolls toward his station.

It's not long after he begins his daily task he finds himself needing help. Somehow he has contorted into a highly uncomfortable position, bearing an awfully heavy load. Fearful of the mockery or discipline that may befall him, he resists the urge to cry out for help. Moans and groans and pleas quietly slip out of his mouth as he tries to undo the mess he's gotten himself into. What seems like an eternity passes and soon...he hears footsteps.

"I heard someone asking for help," are the first words the construction worker hears.

"Yes, yes, please, I need some help," he manages to utter.

"Don't be alarmed, but I am going to wedge myself down here with you to help carry this weight," and whomever spoke, did just as he said he would. "And, it's gonna be okay, my partners are headed this way."

Almost instantaneously, another has arrived and is singing songs, soothing the construction worker. It seems as though he's there to help the construction worker remain in a place where he has peace in his mind, comfort in his heart that help is there, and the assurance that these two will not leave him. Even though he's still uncomfortable, things are bearable. Before he knows it, he's singing along with the second voice and enjoying himself. It's then that the second remarks, "Hang in there. It's tough, that's understood, but you're just waiting on our last partner to get things to finish up the job. There are some crucial pieces that weren't given to you but we've got them. Just give him a moment and he'll be here."

Before he realizes it, the worker has gone through a range of emotions, all feeding off his impatience. He's mad that he wasn't given what he needed. He feels foolish that he couldn't see what he hadn't been given. He's frustrated that the two with him are just as content as could be waiting on the third. He begins to fight his load and tries to get out from underneath it. This goes on and on and on, but he soon tires and stops.

As he begins to converse with the two with him and get to know them like they wanted to know him, he relaxes and falls into a place of contentment as well. It is then, that he hears the footsteps of the third partner. Equipment begins to run, tools are making noise, there are grunts released in expression of hard work but not a single word is spoken to the worker. It's soon that he figures out...he is in the presence of upper-upper management. "Uh-oh" is the only thought rushing through his brain now.

It's not long before the worker is freed from his "mess." It isn't long before he sees the projected completed and the great things his immediate boss had in store for him the whole time. It isn't long before he realizes he had the support of upper-upper management from his first day of work on this project. And it wasn't long before he knew he had never been alone...all he had to was ask, refocus, and wait.