Eagerly Waiting?

​The week after Bible School at our church, Friends Helping Friends sponsored Bible School. Jim was very excited as he waited for Monday to arrive.

Our pastor drove the van that picked up the participants and Jim was to ride with him. He loved the idea of being the “helper.” On Monday morning, Jim had showered, eaten breakfast, fed his animals and was standing at the door by 7:30. The van was not due to arrive until 8:00.

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Driving a van for people with special needs is not an exact science. There is any number of unforeseen delays as each person is picked up. Jim is accustomed to this as he rides a van to Advantage three days a week. 

I could not persuade him to wait until 8:00 to go to the door. He was there, patiently waiting, when 8:00 came and went. He did not seem upset by the delay. However, he did ask me to text the pastor for an arrival time.

On Tuesday, the same thing happened. Jim was at the door thirty minutes early, patiently waiting as the minutes ticked past 8:15.

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Wednesday was like the day before and I began to dwell on Jim, patiently waiting by that door. Was there a lesson it for me? I am, basically, an impatient person. Jim was willing to stand for more than thirty minutes, patiently waiting for the pastor and van to take him to a place that meant fun and happiness to him.

I know Jim well enough to know that no matter how late the van might be, he would approach it with his wide smile and a joyous greeting. 

It was not until the fourth day that I fully understood. At 8:30, Jim asked me to text the pastor and ask when he would arrive. The van would be even later than the previous days. Still, Jim would not leave the door. Then, I realized the truth. Jim was not just patiently waiting. He was eagerly anticipating the arrival of that van.

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As always, Jim teaches me. Eager anticipation, tempered with patience. This is the way we should approach life.

I believe it is also the way we should wait upon the return of our Lord.

Take a lesson from Jim. 


Matthew 24:44 
44 For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.