Through him we received grace…—Romans 1:5 (NIV)

After limping by with an ancient septic tank, we realized the time had come to update to a mound system, or so the county told us. We’ve been waiting almost nine months now. We had to save a long time to afford it. Then when we had the money in hand, it was too late in the year to dig and ensure that grass seed would have time enough to grow over the mound before the winter freeze. We waited through the long winter for spring. But it was too wet of a spring to dig then, and spring, as it sometimes does in Wisconsin, kept one foot in winter for months. We waited for the company’s schedule to open up. And we’re still waiting. 

I’m reminded of other seemingly interminable waits we’ve endured—no kitchen for four months during an exchange from the ’70s-style cabinets to the current-century cupboards. We waited from January to July once to have water restored after a pipe in our well froze. We waited twenty-seven years for new carpeting on the stairs to the second floor. We waited four decades to remodel this old house for better traffic flow. 

But here’s the glory. It is possible to wait with grace. Jesus, the epitome of grace, waits with us. Although Jesus didn’t use the word grace, He is grace and the giver of grace. He keeps us sane, calm, occupied, at peace, and content despite the circumstances when we choose to invite Him into our waiting times. We can, because of Him, wait with grace. So much better than the impatient, anxiety-ridden alternative.

Faith Step: “Well, what are you waiting for?” is a common expression. Ask yourself today a more meaningful, “Who am I waiting with?”