WAIT A MINUTE!

by Paul Scott

We were going shopping in Fareham. I had a couple of things to do in the bank, and I guessed they might take some time. I suggested to Toni that she should go and do her shopping, and we could meet up later in the Shopping Centre, when we had both finished. My business in the bank didn't take as long as I'd expected. I hurried back to the meeting point, but there was no sign of Toni. I waited for a moment or two, then remembered some other things I needed to do. I visited Argos, bought a toy lawnmower for our grandson, and retraced my steps to the meeting point. There was still no sign of Toni. Again I waited for a moment or so, walked up and down, and looked in one or two of the shop windows. Growing impatient, I wandered off, and did a little more shopping. I discovered later that Toni had been doing the same thing. She had returned to the meeting point, found me absent, and had gone off to do other things. Eventually we did meet up (Toni was the one who had waited patiently). We found that we had managed to do practically all we'd intended. Nevertheless I couldn't help thinking that if I'd been a little more patient and been prepared to wait longer, we could have met earlier. Then we could have shopped together, which would have been better.

Now all this, believe it or not, made me think of prayer. No, I'm not talking about praying for patience ("Lord, give me patience, and give it to me right now!") I'm thinking rather about the need to spend time listening to God as well as talking to him. So often I come to God and immediately start pouring out a whole shopping list of requests. Then I remember that it's important to hear what God wants to say to me. So I quiet my mind and try to be attentive. But it's just like my time in the shopping centre. I hang around for a moment or two, and if nothing happens (or rather, nothing seems to happen) then I rush on to other things that seem more important. God, however, will not be rushed. He does want to speak to us, but He is God Almighty, and He won't be squeezed in between two other things that I consider urgent. I need to extend to Him the courtesy I would give to a close and trusted friend (which He is) and, pushing aside the other things that clamor for my attention, make time for Him.

Since that shopping expedition, I've been trying to make more time for God. I don't always succeed, but when I do I feel closer to Him and receive more of His love and His guidance. I think it's well worth doing. How about you?

Paul's email -Paul@scott85.fsnet.co.uk

©2003 Paul Scott

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