Tip of My Iceberg

Waiting is the pits.

Anticipation doesn’t always stir my heart with exhilaration.

Whether it’s the expectation of time with a special person or the excitement of a long awaited event, time passes with the slowness of a crippled snail.

Not a fan of slow snails.

I’m in Atlanta, awaiting the arrival of Sloane, Chris and Melody’s daughter.

The dawdling daughter. She was due a week ago. Conditions inside trump the enthusiastic welcome that coming outside will offer.

I appreciate this. I’m not always a fan of change. There are times when I think my life is just fine, thank you very much. If I’m expected to adapt to new plans or modify what I’m doing, I don’t always receive those adjustments well.

My reluctance rarely stops change from happening. It typically makes it more difficult for me to adjust.

Come to think of it, change is a lot like birth. Both are inevitable.

Things don’t stay the way they are.

Sloane will be born at some point. We’d all love to see her sooner rather than later.

Her room is ready to go.

Her mom is ready to go.

Sloane isn’t being very accommodating.

She doesn’t have to be. She’s on a timetable that’s all her own.

I’ve no control over that.

I guess that’s what bothers me. Nothing I do will make any difference.

Makes me feel a little non-essential.

I came up here to help Melody with the baby. If she doesn’t come, there’s not a lot I can do to help.

Not the way I’d planned it. Not the change I’d expected.

Life is rarely accommodating. I make plans and pursue things in a way that allows me to accomplish things that matter to me.

It doesn’t always turn out the way I’d like. Things happen. Best laid plans go awry.

I know I sound whiney. I’m not. Really. I’m just being faced with my limitations.

There’s the cosmic chuckle. That any of us has the clout to change life in all its bigness. All its beauty and wonder. That we could actually control what happens.

The Pharisees and other religious rulers were skeptical of Jesus because He did change life. Not the way they expected. They looked for a warrior leader to provide them the freedom they sought from Rome. They had a plan to rule themselves, to not have to answer to anyone else.

It didn’t work that way.

Jesus brought change. Not the way anyone planned.

The way we needed change to happen.

We’re all limited by what we can understand and do. Time, physical strength, knowledge and power keep us from making things change our way in our time frame.

Our limitations don’t restrict Jesus.

His plan is a better one because He alone has the big picture. And the power to carry it out.

With our best in mind.

Change and waiting won’t be any more comfortable.

With Jesus, it’s a heck of a lot more purposeful.

Waiting? I’m learning. Slowly.

There’s that snail thing again.