Hernia Surgery Recovery

Value of Waiting

It reveals my sin nature. I don’t like it, but I need it. Impatience is built into my sin nature. I see it in myself when confronted with waiting, like waiting in line at Costco or waiting in traffic. I see it with others every day I drive a TX highway. Drive the speed limit and you will feel like you’re standing still as cars and trucks zoom around you like water around a rock in the middle of a stream. I felt my impatient sin nature many times during my wife’s hospice care. I have a keloid scar that reminds me. I had to help her to the bathroom at night. I was impatient and angry and dropped her on the toilet. The bowl broke and flooded the bathroom. I sliced my palm open on a sharp edge of the ceramic bowl… water and blood. I went to the ED of the hospital where I work. No stiches. I have a keloid scar to remind me.

It makes me trust in the LORD and not my own efforts. Proverbs 3:5-8. As I wait and trust there will be post-op healing to my flesh and refreshment to my bones and joints. That’s a promise.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be healing to your flesh
    and refreshment to your bones.

It keeps me from getting ahead of God’s plan and timing. If I get ahead of God’s plan then I will mess it up. God is orchestrating other necessary alignments while I wait. Psalm 37:1-7: Be still before the lord and wait patiently for him. Waiting is not wasted time.

It is preparation time for my character and skills to develop. Abraham & Sarah, Moses, Joseph, David waited. Waiting formed the character and skills the LORD required so they were prepared for their holy assignments in His history of redemption. The disciples waited 50 days for the HS (Acts 1:4; 2:1) not knowing when or how HS would come. The wait was worth it, followed by boldness and power.

It renews purpose and strength: Isaiah 40:30-31. I feel like an agave century plant. This is my favorite plant when hiking around Big Bend mountains and deserts. It’s silent for many years and then grows a tall flower stalk that feeds insects, hummingbirds, and bats; then it dies.