My kids have been attending a day program at our church camp this past week. My son, Ty, got to catch up with a friend he met last year at camp and was very excited to see him again. In fact, we were able to have him over to our house tonight so that they could play for a little while. Immediately following day camp, Ty came home and there was about an hour or so before his friend was to arrive. If you remember what it was like being a kid, this hour was long and painful for my son. I seem to recall the same feelings when I was young and excited about something…time seemed to drag on. I would often get impatient and keep asking my parents when it was time. If memory serves me right, I stood at the front window of our house waiting in anticipation of what the future held. Today when I caught a glimpse of my son perched at our front window peering at the empty driveway awaiting the arrival of his friend, I thought about how life changes as we get older. Times of waiting are still a major factor in our lives, but often the patience is through times of pain. Instead of anticipating an exciting adventure, we await relief from private pain and hurt. Instead of waiting at the window anticipating the arrival of a friend, we wonder if help will ever arrive. Have you ever been there? Maybe you are staring out the window right now.
I must be honest, I’ve been through disappointments and frustrations, but compared to others I am not familiar with extreme pain. My heart aches for those who are hurt, broken, and confused about life, having encountered situations which have driven them to the point of emptiness. I have stood in the same room with many people who were looking out the window wondering how much longer. Even though I am supposed to represent God and provide easy answers to these people, I often find myself just being silent or admitting my inability to find words to explain. Why God? Why do these things happen? There are probably many things we’ll never figure out or understand, but those who put their faith in Jesus Christ have hope. Hope does not always guarantee a quick solution or total deliverance in this lifetime, but it does promise a future existence without pain, suffering, and emptiness (Revelation 21:1-4). The book of Lamentations reminds the reader that “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Paul added that if we only have hope in this life only, “we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19). You may be standing at the window and asking God how long.
Ty’s friend finally arrived tonight and right on time.
