Impatiently Waiting?

About four and a half years ago Thad and I had started the process of getting licensed.  Boy did it feel like those months; awaiting the background checks, home study, and acceptance of our application, took an eternity! Very impatiently did we await our approval, calling and checking in to see if there was any way to speed up the process.  After all, I knew that there was that absolutely perfect child, “our” child, just waiting for us to be licensed so we could bring him/her home.  What in the world was holding up our license? Others who had gone through the PRIDE trainings with us already received theirs, how in the world did we not have ours???  For anyone who knows me well, I am not gifted in the area of patience.  I may be decently patient with my children, my students, other people, and so on, but when it comes to waiting for something that I really want……well let’s just say that I fail miserably at being patient. 

About six months ago a strong movement started in our church called “For the Least of These”.  This movement has inspired many families in our church to start the process of becoming licensed foster families. This past weekend, Thad and I were blessed to spend the evening with one of those families.  Naturally the conversations often gravitated towards our families, our jobs, and of course foster care.  As our friends discussed where they were at in the process, wondering when they would get their license, etc. it brought back many memories of our time of waiting.  In fact, in speaking with the other families who are in the process with our friends, they too are all very ready and wanting their licenses so that they can bring that child in need into their home.  Their hearts are ready and their home is open.  Still waiting is so unbelievably hard! 

Hearing of others impatient waiting surprisingly brings me joy.  Yes, I did indeed say that it brings me joy!  When others experience that impatient waiting Thad and I are given the opportunity to share our story.  I may think that my timing is perfect, but reality is that God’s timing is the ultimate and perfect timing. The timing and plan above all others!!  Had I been blessed with a child according to my timing I would have missed out on the most precious children ever!  Our license literally came through 3 weeks before our now 2 ½ year old son was born.  By God’s complete grace, the process to approve our license was held up by a few months because of various factors.  As impatiently as we waited, we learned a life lesson : James 1:17 “ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights……..” Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord”. 

Today I am still an impatient waiter, but my heart is reminded of the glory that comes when I accept the timing of God’s gifts.  When I find myself in the mode of impatience, I look into the eyes of my children and am reminded of how perfectly God orchestrated the creation of the Kittelson family.