The Four Keys to Waiting Successfully

It’s been a rainy day here in Montgomery. The kind of rain where you drive cautiously on the look-out for deep puddles; (or in some areas small ponds.) 😊 Which made me think about waiting (I’ll explain how I got there in a minute.)  Waiting is not my favorite activity, but I have learned four keys to waiting successfully.

So, how did I get to waiting from puddles?

Years ago, my sweet mother-in-law Marge, was driving us home in a rainstorm. We went through a deep puddle.

Too deep apparently for the car – it stopped.

Through the noise of rain pounding on the roof, I asked what do we do now?

Wait, she calmly replied. The car’s engine just needs to dry out.

Marge chatted happily. She was secure in her belief that all would be well.

I was incredulous! How could she be so sure?

She assured me this had happened before, and the car had been up and running in no time.

I wondered aloud if there was anything, we could do to speed things up.

Nope, just wait.

So, we did. The car echoed with our laughter and conversation. And before too long, the car started without a problem.

Marge’s Keys to Successful Waiting

• Identify the problem
• Rely on experience
• Do what you can – in this case just wait
• Enjoy the time spent waiting.

Our rainy day had triggered a wonderful memory!

One that propelled me to confront a challenging situation.  

Today was the second day that I was waiting for a return phone call from my bank. I had done my part by leaving detailed messages. There was nothing else for me to do except wait.  

The first day of waiting was stressful. My phone was my constant companion.  

Gradually I allowed thinking, and worrying, about the problem to take up way too much time. You can read more about how to stop worrying here.

The more I thought the more convinced I was that my call would never be returned.

I planned what I would do when the inevitable, no answer, happened. (And, I became angry)

Thankfully a light bulb went off.

I realized that I was following old habits for waiting ones that had long been discarded.

A return to my new habits of dealing with waiting was needed.

(I have tweaked Marge’s keys to waiting successfully just a bit.)

Key One to Waiting Successfully: Identify the Problem

Today I realized that the problem was not the unreturned phone call, but my reaction!

I was becoming too focused on the situation.  

Key Two to Waiting Successfully: Think About What Has and Has Not Worked in the Past

Maybe like me, you have experienced a lot of waiting.

What works for me best is praying about the situation.

And then – wait – for the answer.

Constantly worrying and thinking about it (like I had spent a day and a half doing) has never worked.

Have you found that too?

So, I prayed. And yes, waited.  

This time the answer did not take long. I was assured that God would work out the timing and answer to my problem.

As a result, my anxiety evaporated.

I also felt nudged to be patient with the bank representative when she called back.

Key Three to Successful Waiting: Do What You Can

I realized that I had taken all the appropriate steps in contacting the bank.

Now I needed to leave the results in God’s hands.

Key Four to Successful Waiting: Enjoy the Wait

Since I was no longer worrying about the situation, I dove into enjoying my day.

Are you wondering about the outcome? Well within a few hours of the lightbulb moment my call had been returned and the problem was solved!