Learning Patience

I had been thinking for awhile about starting a relationship with a girl I know from my church. I asked her dad if he'd mind our having dinner together, and of course he didn't. I talked with her and set a date for Friday night. We met, ate and had a fabulous time before going our separate ways.

She sent me a note on Saturday morning suggesting that we sit down and talk. So, I called her and we decided that we should remain as friends for now. Apparently, without knowing it until after the fact, we had also both sought counsel from the same trusted friend at our church, so it made it a lot easier on the both of us to know how to handle the situation. I spent the next few hours in misery wondering how the next day would play out at church, were we would see each other next. But before the day could come, I needed to relax.

Something happened Saturday night that's easy to explain if you don't believe in God, but gets a little more interesting if you do. I drove straight from my parent's house Saturday to my church, so I could play piano, but when I got there, I felt that I couldn't get to the piano, so I came down the main aisle and stopped at the altar. So, what better thing to do while I'm there than to pray. (I've been to this spot several times in the last couple weeks) So, after the awkward phone calls and conversations of the day, I asked God to give me peace and to show me what's next. Then, I asked him for a miracle: that my friend might call me while I'm there. I waited silently for a long time, begging Him, but it's not my plan, it's His. Patience.

So I went over to the piano and played for awhile, wondering if she might call just then...but it's not my plan, it's His. Patience.

(Still at the piano) I decided someone had to start the late night call and set things straight so we could both sleep well that night. I called her. No answer. Patience. I got up from the piano and something caught my eye. Right after I had been asking God to show Himself and give me peace, I noticed something different about the display on the digital thermostat at church. You can find God in the smallest of things. The thermostat doesn't know whether or not someone is in the room, it only shows what the schedule tells it to do. It now reads, "Occupied." I haven't been able to get the dumb thing to ever obey me and turn on or off at my command. I am power less against the beast. But God works in mysterious ways. I checked every thermostat. "Occupied" "Occupied" "Occupied" "Occupied" "Occupied" He could almost be felt in the room. Back to the altar, not wasting any time. Patience. God and I talked a little longer and then I drove home.

I drove to my apartment; started unloading my laundry and the phone rang. It was her. She cordially stated that she missed my call because she was doing laundry and wondered why I called. I let her see just the tip of the iceberg of all that I'd been learning and thanked her for being available to be used to help me learn. We talked just for a couple minutes and she thanked me for a wonderful evening and we ended the call. Now I can sleep. I just needed to be patient.

This morning I started getting nervous all over again anticipating the moment our mentor told me about: Seeing her in person after this whole thing has unfolded. I tried to be as casual and normal as I had been the week before, said Hi and asked her how she was doing, of course, she's doing fine. It was still awkward. We didn't make eye contact more than once or twice in the whole day,. Class time came and went, as did the morning service. Unknown to me, she and her mom were behind me as I left church this morning. So, I opened the door to let myself out (not knowing yet that they were there) and was given one more opportunity to talk as I held the door for them. Of course, I was thanked for holding the door and smiled and told her "you're welcome, have a great day." The smile was returned. I think the worst is over now. Now I start being patient again.

I don't mind God teaching me things at all. Patience is good. But it sure would be nice if the lessons were a little easier. I guess with some things, there's only one way to teach them -- through experience.