Waiting…waiting…waiting. This is not our best trait as humans. We want what we want and we want it, NOW. It sounds terrible. And it is. This attitude exhibits impatience, selfishness, lack of faith. So how is it that we “wait”? How do we wait well?

When we plant seeds, there is an expectation that they will germinate and sprout. Some seeds take longer than others. And based on temperature, sunshine, and rain, sometimes germination can take longer or happen sooner.

As a very small child, my first “garden” was two short rows of butter beans. The rows were probably only five or six feet long. My Dad made small furrows and dropped in the seeds. When the beautiful green heads started popping out of the ground, I was overjoyed! It was miraculous!

I pulled the first unfortunate sprouts out of the ground. I had to examine them. Unfortunately, it was their undoing. In my joy and haste, I destroyed the first plants. I was devastated. Kindly, my Dad explained to me that I must wait. I needed to give the tender shoots time to grow and establish themselves. If I did, I would see a crop. If I did not, I would lose the whole garden.

He taught me to anticipate the desired result. I was given an approximate idea of how many days it would take for seeds to sprout. I could be fairly certain that they would most certainly sprout. So began the “counting of days”.

This process of “counting days” has become spiritual for me. On December 1, I put out an Advent wreath that has 25 holes in the wooden labyrinth. A candle is placed in hole number one and moved each day to the next hole. There is a wooden “Mary” seated on a donkey that moves along with the candle. A devotion is read as Baxter and I anticipate the coming of the Christ Child.

After Christmas, the labyrinth is extended with more pieces. “Mary” is changed out for Jesus carrying the cross. On Ash Wednesday, the candle and Jesus begin another journey to Resurrection Day. Again, devotions are read and we count days, anticipating the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus.

Our anticipation and counting of days pale in comparison to the long wait the Jewish nation experienced as they anticipated the coming of Messiah. But, He came. Even if some had given up. Even if some believed He had already come. In the fulness of time, Jesus, Messiah, came.

In this season, let’s anticipate with great joy the celebration of our Jesus. Let’s not grow impatient or fall away in unbelief or disturb the perfect timing and work of Father God. As we count the days, let’s trust His perfect will and ways. We can wait joyfully anticipating the coming of Messiah.

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased”. Luke 2:13-14 NASB