Even before her birthday in August my sister really wanted an mp3 player. Her preference was an iPod - the iTouch - and so I told her to save up the money she will get for her birthday and we'd go get one for her. I found out that instead of buying an iPod she a bought different touchscreen player because she just could not wait. A few weeks later the player broke. I asked her what she plans on doing and she wasn't sure, so I told her again, save her money and we'll get an iPod.
Last Sunday she came to me after church asking me to take her to the store to buy an iPod Mini, I told her no, that all she needed was a few more dollars to buy her iTouch. I also reminded her of the last mp3 player that she bought out of impatience and how disappointed she was in it. She was upset, but I was firm and seeing as she's only 14 and cannot drive herself (and that my parents agreed) she was forced to practice patience.
About two days later she IMed me while I was at work and was super joyful that all she needed was four more dollars and she would get the iTouch. I told her that was great news and that we will get the iTouch soon. Two days after she texted me saying she bought her iTouch. I asked her why she didn't wait for me to take her and she said she really wanted it! Impatient child. Had she waited she would have been privy to the little secret that I was keeping from her. I wanted to take her to the store to get it because I was planning to get her the bigger iTouch, I would have put in the difference towards getting the bigger one as well as a cool case to hold it. That was going to be her Christmas present from me.
I understand that she's very happy that she waited to get her iTouch, but what joy would it have brought her if she was just a little more patient and waited on me like I requested? She would have had something bigger and better with extra pieces! It struck me how very similar this situation is with God and us at times. There are times when we are so impatient that we go ahead and pick up the cheap imitation and then when things go wrong we come crying to God asking him why and once more he says, wait. Then we wait and we get more and more impatient and we pick up something that might be good - or we think it's good at the time - without talking to God first and don't see that he was just waiting to surprise us with something so much better. Ah, if only we were a bit more patient, if only we consulted with God before we took action.
Well, my sister learned her lesson, I wonder if I will ever learn mine?
Comments (17)
excellent post.
Good points. I'm glad God shuts doors sometimes that look good to us, because otherwise we would probably all ruin our lives lots of times by doing things before His timing.
I used to derive my self-worth from accomplishing things. I was scared to death of what would happen if I didn't get where I wanted to go right away; I thought that would mean I was a useless person. And then God allowed me to get a chronic illness. He forced me to slow down and wait for His timing to do things. In the mean time, He showed me that my worth is not found in what I accomplish, but instead found in His love. I can't express how grateful I am that He made me wait and walk slowly with Him. It's been the best time of my life.
@Pickwick12@xanga - thank you for sharing that! :) I'm happy to hear that you are at a better place with waiting now ... I'm a bit impatient myself, so I'm really glad that I could have learned something nifty from this experiment with my sister.
AWESOME! This is a Blog I DEFINTELY needed. Trust gets better in every situation. Excellent Reads ;D
@Pickwick12@xanga - Awesome Testimony!
Fantastic!!!!!!
I was impatient through out my life that could be a reason why I am served a little less than I deserve.
Chaitanya
What a great observation!! Arggh and I can think of so many examples of my own impatience.... I'm going to keep this story in mind from now on.
Awesome story, thanks for sharing. Reminds all of us how impatient we are some times.
great story... I hope it's okay to pass it on the someone I know who is doing a study right now on the subject of patience.
@yellowflight1@xanga - that's quite alright with me.
I can't really judge since I couldn't wait to get my iPod touch back when it first came out either :)
Now I'm ready to upgrade to an iPhone (and sell my iPod touch) but I'm playing the waiting game for Apple to release a 32gig iPhone. So I feel her pain, I really do (and I'm 26)... I'd love nothing more than to get my iPhone now (okay, that's a slight exaggeration; there are other things I'd like more, but you get my point) but I have to wait to see if they release the better version.
very true.
that was an excellent examlpe,a lot of young people and those hard ears people should read it.its not good to learn from mistakes.to obey is better than sacrifices.and to exercise patience is just worth it.just remind me of my mom like 3 years ago.but thank GOD i never give up on her.its now 18 months since she had learn and started back to square 1.and is doin great.finally proud of her after 15 years.
WOW... Â thats about all I can say...
This is a GREAT story on "good things come to those who wait". :)
Brilliant entry. I am coming back to rec this. I have a similar experience with MP3 players, and with God.
such an inspiration :)