This weekend, I experienced my first attempt at selling
something through an online Facebook garage sale page. I posted an extra
full-sized wrought iron bed we needed to get rid of, and within ten minutes, I
had more than one offer.
The first offers that came in were for slightly less than my
asking price. Not by much—but a little less. I debated for two hours—literally—whether
to settle or wait.
My husband, who is always the voice of reason, calmly
shrugged and said, “Babe, it’s been like an hour. Just wait and see what you
have tomorrow.”
Good advice, right?
Yeah… But I’m impatient, and sometimes everything feels
urgent—even when it’s not an urgent thing at all.
I waited a little longer (and by little, I mean maybe 30 more minutes). Then I accepted the first
person who offered, albeit at a reduced priced.
Of course, not 15 minutes after I settled, I had three more
offers—for full price. By the time I went to bed, I was getting messages from
two different people, begging for the bed. (I’m not even joking!) By the next
morning (not even 24 hours later), I had 14 offers on it.
But I felt like I had to honor my original ‘Yes,’ and on
Tuesday, an excited single-mom came and picked up the bed and mattresses.
I knew I did the right thing, but I also felt a little miffed.
If only I had waited…
I don’t write this to self-deprecate or condemn myself, but
the truth is, I wonder sometimes whether I rob myself of God’s fullest
blessings because I get impatient.
I’m reminded of the old sermon story of the boy who throws a
fit in Walmart, begging for the $150 bike. His parents hold their ground and
seem like the worst parents ever—except
that they already bought him a $300 bike for his birthday next week.
They know what he doesn’t know.
God always knows,
too.
If I had a spiritual resume of my greatest traits and
qualities, patience would not be on it. Intercessor, maybe. Worshiper, Giver—sure.
But patient, submitted, willing to release control—nope.
None of those.
I know God’s not mad at me—nor does he punish me or withhold
blessing from me. He’s a good Father, and He probably spends a lot of time
whispering, “Hey, dear, I have a better blessing for you if you’ll wait it out.”
I’m not trying to over-spiritualize here either. It’s just
as possible that God’s best plan was for the single-mom to get the bed at the
reduced rate. Maybe my impatience wasn’t about me; maybe it was always about
her blessing.
But either way, I’m reminded this week that I need to
surrender control, be patient, let go of those things that really aren’t urgent
(which, by the way, is pretty much everything!), and submit my heart to my
Father’s heart.
If I can just slow down, just for a second, I might hear Him
whisper.
Friends, do any of you struggle with that impatient spirit—where
everything feels urgent? Do you
struggle to wait on God’s timing?
I’d love to hear any advice you have to offer!
No comments:
Post a Comment