Waiting Isn’t Easy, But It Teaches

 

I’ll no longer keep you all in suspense. No Twelve Angry Men for me. I’ve officially been relieved of my waiting. And I’m assuming most of you know that classic movie - ⬆️ one jury room and a whole lot of tension. It’s a classic.

Shortly after I pressed publish, the word came through: I was no longer needed. Evidently, the jury would have to deliberate without me.

Still, it wasn’t all for nothing. I got a blog post out of it, and we all know we’re always looking for blog fodder. More than that, I learned a few things about myself while I waited.

That’s when it occurred to me. Maybe it’s not that I lack patience, but that I don’t really know how to wait. It’s not something we’re ever taught. At least, I wasn’t.

“Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).

Faithless waiting is marked by restlessness because of a need to control the situation. Godly waiting, on the other hand, trusts the process, even when the outcome is unclear. I know it sounds impossible, but it's not. It just shows me I have an area that needs some tweaking. 

Maybe my jury duty wasn’t about serving on a case at all, but about learning to trust God in all seasons of uncertainty. Lord knows, as I get older, I will face more waiting and more unknowns. My hope is that I’ll learn to trust the process, regardless of how small or large the waiting seems. 

So, I didn’t get my moment in the jury box. I received much more. 

Patience, Grasshopper

I am on day two of jury duty limbo.

Not on a jury. 

Not excused. 

Just… waiting.

Available. 

On standby. 

Checking my phone more often than I care to admit.

I don’t like this feeling and the not knowing. Am I going in today? Tomorrow? Will I be released back into life, or will I need to rearrange my days until I get that confirmation that my service has been completed?  

My husband, ever helpful, smiles and says, 

“Patience, Grasshopper.”

He’s not wrong. I just don’t enjoy the lesson.

Patience sounds lovely when it's stitched on a pillow or listed as a fruit of the Spirit. But in real life, patience usually shows up disguised as inconvenience, interruption, or uncertainty. 

Waiting tests me more than doing ever does. I’d rather know the plan, even if I don’t like it, than live in this low-grade suspense. I’d rather be told “yes” or “no” than “we’ll see.”

Limbo is not my spiritual gift.

Plus, there’s something about uncertainty that frays the nerves. You can’t quite settle. You can’t quite plan. You're willing, but quietly hoping for an exemption. 

"Here I am, Lord… but if there’s another option, I’d be open to that too."

It's fascinating to wonder how much we have waited in our lives. Research shows we have all waited anywhere from 2 to 6 years of our lives. 

6 months waiting for a red light

1-2 years in lines 

6 months to a year waiting on the phone! 

No wonder we struggle with patience!

Still, there’s grace here. God is patient with my lack of patience. He doesn’t seem offended by my sighs, groans, or my “I just want to know.” 

Maybe patience isn’t about liking the wait. Maybe it’s about learning how to embrace it without grumbling too much.

Philippians 2:14 

Do all things without grumbling or disputing

So this afternoon, I wait. 

I check the website. 

I keep my phone close. 

If I go in, I’ll go in. 

If I’m excused, I’ll be grateful.

And if I’m still waiting tomorrow… well, apparently the lesson isn’t finished yet.

"Patience, Grasshopper. I’m still learning."