While we’re waiting

We spend a lot of time waiting – for the bus, for the phone call, the tickets, the bathroom, the bell, the lights, the dinner, the news that might change everything. Right now I’m waiting for two emails. They’re both in relation to two of my creative projects… and I wish they would come. I’m trying not to check the emails every ten seconds. So instead of checking the emails every ten seconds, I’m going to write out my 15 top tips for waiting, in no particular order.

Always have another creative project on the go. I call this my ‘Thing-I’m-writing-when-I’m-not-writing-anything-else’ Project. At the moment, it’s the devotions I started in Israel three years ago. I pull them out whenever I’m not writing anything else, or whenever my other projects are on hold… and they haven’t complained once, so that’s nice. One day I might even finish them, especially if this waiting carries on much longer.
Alternatively, find a blank piece of paper and go and sit under a gorgeous, shady tree in your back yard and write anything at all. The good news is that no one is going to see what you write, and no one is going to publish it, and no one is going to talk about filming it. That’s good!
Then go back inside and re-read a book that you loved when you were 12 years old. The chances are that you will still love it, and you will find your younger, dreamier, hopeful self in between the pages.
After you finish reading your favourite book, and just as the sun is going down, head out on to the back deck and lean over the railing as far as you can, and watch the sun actually set. The colours will still be glorious, even if the thing you were waiting for didn’t happen today.
The next day, when you still haven’t received your email, rearrange the furniture. You could start with the living room, because that’s probably the easiest and it includes your writing desk. Enjoy your new view!
Then go back outside and watch the dog. Notice how she finds the sunniest spot in the garden and simply lies down.
While you’re outside, weed the garden. The best thing about gardens is that they grow weeds all of the time. So begin weeding the tiniest section near the front door and then, before you know it (or before the email arrives), you will probably have weeded half an acre.
When you’ve finished weeding, re-read your old journals. In particular, read the ones where you learnt all about patience last time. Remember?
Then go outside and puff yourself out completely. Jump on the trampoline for half an hour, or chase the dog around the yard, or run up the back stairs, as if there’s something unbelievably surprising at the top. Maybe there is?
Afterwards, stretch your calves and your quads. You really don’t want to tear anything. At the same time, you could call a friend, or talk to your neighbour, or do something really helpful for someone else, who doesn’t know anything at all about your email.
Alternatively, pirouette across the room. It’s really fun… but harder to do, if you’re standing in a queue.
Then write out a list, just like this, and make it rhyme, on every line.
For something completely different, and harder to rhyme, paint your toenails purple.
Then teach your teenagers to cook. I know you’ve tried this before, but they’re much older now, and they’re much hungrier, so it may even work.
In the evening, sit down on the back deck with your gorgeous husband and watch him read the Psalms in Nepali. Notice how incredibly, painstakingly patient he is with every single word. Ask him how long it’s taken him to read Psalm 119 in Nepali. Listen to his reply. A week. Try and absorb some of his patience.
Then, while you’re sitting there with him, re-read Psalm 130 for yourself, in English. Notice verse 5. “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.” Close your eyes and remember that you’re not actually waiting for the email, at all. You’re waiting for the Lord, for his timing, for his plans, for his word, for his strength to do the next thing, whatever it is. Smile. Give thanks. Then go back to number 1.

 

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