I’ve never been one to wait idly. I’m methodical in my approach—thinking, researching, planning, and praying are all part of my process. But once I’ve made a decision, I’m eager to act on it. This was especially true when I decided to become part of the Catholic Church.
I kept calling to mind Harry’s line from “When Harry Met Sally”: “Once you realize that you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
That’s how I felt about receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. I wanted it — Him — immediately.
But God had other plans. He asked me to wait. The year I spent in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) seemed unnecessarily prolonged. I didn’t resent the process; I respected it. Wise friends within the Catholic community advised me to cherish this preparatory phase rather than rush through it. Their counsel was invaluable, though following it was a challenge.
Throughout that year, I watched children receive communion and couldn’t help but feel that my understanding of the Eucharist was more nuanced, my longing to partake in it far greater. Yet, I trusted that God had a reason for this period of waiting.
The Gift of Waiting
Now, 15 years on, I can still vividly recall the intense desire to receive the Eucharist. That memory allows me to delve deeper into the mystery of the Eucharist, which, while still enigmatic, has become a familiar part of my faith. The wait wasn’t just a time of preparation; it was a gift—one that I hadn’t anticipated.
This waiting period created a touchstone in my memory, a sacred place I can always revisit in prayer. It taught me that waiting serves a purpose. Looking back, I can see God’s hand in the various seasons of waiting throughout my life. Sometimes, like during the final trimester of my last pregnancy, the wait felt interminably long. Even in hindsight, I don’t always understand God’s reasons for making me wait. But occasionally, He provides glimpses of His work—just enough to bolster my faith for the next wait.
Waiting to Be Home
Another challenging wait began after the birth of our first child. I yearned to be home with her, to pause my career and savor every moment. I counted the precious few hours we had together each week, feeling frustrated, sorrowful, and guilty. I wanted to be the one shaping her early experiences, not missing them.
The financial constraints seemed insurmountable, and despite my stubborn attempts to bridge the gap, I found myself further away from my daughter. It’s been nearly a year since I left my job, and this transition has been fraught with challenges. My perfectionism and drive for achievement, once nourished by my career and academic pursuits, now left a void as I entered the realm of motherhood.
In a world where accomplishments are measured by household tasks, I often struggle. The work of motherhood defies the simplicity of a checklist. It’s about presence over productivity. My children need my attention, my embrace, and my love more than they need a pristine environment.
If not for the waiting, the longing to be fully present in these moments, I might have only seen the chaos. But God’s plans are greater. Remembering my deep desire for this life allows me to appreciate the beauty in morning cuddles, building forts, and playful afternoons. I relish the sound of my children’s laughter and the wonder in their eyes as they discover the world.
God knows me intimately. He understands my flaws and tendencies. Like a physician setting a bone, He knew precisely what I needed to prepare for the journey ahead. Yes, it was painful, but it was necessary.
Faithful Waiting
The purpose of waiting is often obscured, which is what makes it so difficult. Enduring these uncertain times requires trust and surrender. In my experience, waiting creates a space for longing, and remembering that feeling opens a wellspring of gratitude. This gratitude breathes life into the joy that now infuses my faith and motherhood.
Like the unseen growth beneath the soil after planting seeds, something is happening beneath the surface during the wait. This knowledge doesn’t alleviate the anxiety, but it has taught me how to wait with faith. I may not know what lies ahead, but I’ve learned to trust that it’s there, and that this uncomfortable time is not in vain.
As I continue to navigate the journey of faith and motherhood, I am reminded that every season of waiting has its purpose, shaping us for what’s to come. In these moments of liminality, I invite Jesus to sit with me, to help me be present to the now. The next chapter will surely unfold – in God’s time.
Biblical Lessons on the Virtue of Waiting
In the tapestry of salvation history, the virtue of waiting is a recurring theme that teaches us about faith, perseverance, and God’s providential timing. The Bible is replete with stories of individuals and entire nations who waited—often for extended periods—for God’s promises to be fulfilled. These narratives offer profound insights into the nature of waiting as an integral part of the human experience and our relationship with the Divine.
Consider Abraham, called by God to leave his homeland and promised a multitude of descendants despite his old age and Sarah’s barrenness. Abraham’s wait for a son, Isaac, was not merely a passive passage of time; it was an active period of growing trust and hope in God’s covenant. His journey of waiting was marked by moments of doubt and human attempts to hasten God’s plan, yet it culminated in the miraculous birth of Isaac, affirming that God’s promises are never unfulfilled, though they may require patient endurance
Similarly, the Israelites’ 40-year wanderings in the desert serve as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual journey of waiting. It was a time of purification and learning to rely solely on God’s providence. The Promised Land lay ahead, yet the path was one of preparation and transformation. This period of waiting was a necessary season for the Israelites to develop a deeper faith and understanding of their identity as God’s chosen people.
Jacob’s love for Rachel led him to work seven years to earn her hand in marriage, only to be deceived into marrying Leah. Undeterred, he committed to another seven years of labor for Rachel. This story illustrates the lengths to which love and dedication can inspire us to wait. Jacob’s perseverance is a testament to the strength that can be found in waiting for the desires of one’s heart, even when the journey is fraught with challenges and setbacks.
The genealogy of Jesus, tracing back to Judah, the son of Leah, reveals the mysterious ways in which God’s plans unfold. Leah, the unloved wife, became an ancestor of the Messiah, a reminder that God’s purposes in our waiting are often hidden and surprising. The fulfillment of God’s promise through Judah, rather than the expected firstborn Reuben or the beloved Joseph, teaches us that waiting with faith can lead to outcomes beyond our understanding or expectations.
Embracing the Wait
These biblical examples of waiting are not just ancient stories; they are living lessons that resonate with our own experiences of anticipation and longing. They teach us that waiting is not a void but a vessel filled with potential for growth and revelation. As we wait for God’s timing in our lives, we are invited to trust in His wisdom and to find joy in the journey, knowing that the fulfillment of His promises is worth every moment of patient expectation.
In our modern lives, we may not wait for a child of promise or a journey to a physical Promised Land, but we do wait for the unfolding of our vocations, the growth of our families, and the deepening of our faith. Like the biblical figures before us, we can learn to wait with purpose, embracing the lessons hidden in the heart of each waiting period.
As we reflect on these stories, we are reminded that waiting is an active, vibrant part of our spiritual lives. It is in the waiting that we often encounter God most profoundly, as He shapes our hearts and prepares us for what is to come. Whether we are waiting for a personal transformation, the fruition of a dream, or the return of Christ, the biblical narrative encourages us to wait with hopeful expectation, knowing that in God’s perfect timing, all things will come to pass.