Waiting patiently for anything is not a strong suit of Aaron’s. Whether he is waiting for me to get off the phone or waiting on a huge surprise, it doesn’t matter. Patient waiting is a foreign concept to him.
This is why we often don’t tell Aaron of an upcoming event until shortly before it actually occurs. Too bad he knows when his birthday is because he is in planning mode for months before the big day.
Earlier this year, a big dinosaur exhibit was coming to town. Gary and I decided to take Aaron and to make it a surprise, more for our sake than anything. The big day came…tickets were bought…plans were in place…and finally I told Aaron that we were taking him on a surprise adventure.
It wasn’t THAT long before we were leaving that I broke the exciting news to him, but oh my goodness! I quickly realized that I should have waited until we were in the van and on our way before uttering a word about our surprise trip.
Aaron can hover better than any hummingbird or helicopter. He hovered outside my door as I got ready. He knocked and knocked on the door, asking if it was time to go yet. He lingered outside the bathroom door as I dried my hair. He stood right beside me as I brushed my teeth, asking questions and wanting me to answer even with a mouthful of toothpaste.
“Aaron!!” I finally said, “quit being so impatient!! Leave me alone and let me get ready.”
I enjoyed a few moments of blissful quiet…until he once again knocked loudly on my door.
“But MOM!!” he exclaimed, “I don’t have anything to DO while I’m being impatient!!”
Let me say, I am so much like Aaron when God has me wait for something, especially something that I have prayed about for a long time.
Look at Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac married Rebekah when he was 40 years old. No children came, however, because Rebekah was barren. In Genesis 25 we read that Isaac prayed on behalf of Rebekah and she conceived.
But guess how long it was before that happened?
20 years!
YEARS!!
Can you imagine the disappointment, over and over and over?
The sadness?
The comparing themselves to others who had HOW many children during the time that they waited…and waited…and waited on God to keep His promise.
As Dale Davis points out in God’s Rascal, The Jacob Narrative, Isaac’s non-chosen brother Ishmael had 12 sons. What’s up with that?!
But Isaac didn’t just idly or impatiently wait. We’re told that he prayed on behalf of his wife.
The Hebrew term used there means that Isaac didn’t just pray FOR his wife. It indicated that he prayed in front of her…in her presence.
I found Isaac’s action in prayer to not only be very encouraging but also very precious. He led Rebekah and he joined her in her pain…in their pain…as they waited for God’s answer.
Sometimes things seem so hopeless. We don’t see answers coming. It’s so easy to lose heart, especially when we have prayed and prayed and prayed.
I love this verse.
Right now, Aaron is laying on our couch downstairs. He had three seizures this morning. He is almost 38 years old and has had seizures since he was 7 years old.
I look at him as he ages, and I see the effect of all these years of seizures…of the toll they have taken on his body and on his mental abilities.
But I know that as much as I love Aaron, God loves him even more. And God loves me.
He loves us and He has a reason that I will probably never know on this earth for all that Aaron has suffered.
So, I cry out to God.
And I know that God’s inclination is to lean down and hear my cry.
Isn’t that a precious picture?
He joins me in my pain and in my waiting.
Am I always patient as I wait on God?
No!
But unlike Aaron, there IS something I can do while I’m being impatient and that is to pray.
And to praise, as David continues in Psalm 40. Sing a new song of praise, which will be a testimony to others.
After all, “How blessed is the man (or woman) who has made the Lord his trust.” (Psalm 40:4)
Gotta run. Aaron is awake now and is planning our evening already. 😊
He Said What?! 
Oh Aaron…. “I don’t have anything to DO while I’m being impatient!!”…I agree!
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😀😀
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Oh my word. First, have I ever been impatient like Aaron, knocking on the door of heaven begging for ‘now’ answers? Yes, I have and it’s a whiny situation for me to even listen to, let alone the God in heaven to hear! Don’t get me started on the number of times I’ve assumed God wanted ME to do something to help Him along instead of patiently wait while He does a MUCH better work! How richly you bless us Patty with these life lessons from life with Aaron. Praying your evening is seizure free and a lot more relaxed with Aaron planning the night. Blessings sweet friend!
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I know what you mean, Cecilia. Sometimes I act like God surely must need my help. Isn’t that silly? I’m thankful He’s patient with me! Blessings to you, my friend.
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Beautiful, as always! Funny and heart-wrenching all at the same time — like your life! I thought I’d let you know that I LOVE Dale Ralph Davis and just received God’s Rascal in the mail yesterday!
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Thanks, Linda. And I’m so happy that you like Davis. I thought you would. Anything he writes is gold! I want to go back and re-read his books on I and II Samuel, I and II Kings, Joshua, and Judges. I just got God’s Rascal, too, and started it today.
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Love Aaron’s continual knocking and being impatient for his surprise. When he wants something, there is no question what he wants! His excitement makes me laugh!
May Aaron have some seizure free weeks and regain his strength! In the name of Jesus!
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He makes me laugh AND roll my eyes 😀 Thank you, Hazel.
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I have been SO like Aaron in the spiritual realm. Praise God for his patience, even his understanding of us, proffering the invitation to keep asking, seeking, and knocking (Matthew 7:7-8)! In the next breath, though, I have to admit, Jesus was most likely referring to passion and persistence in prayer, not so much impatience!
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HaHa! Aaron would totally love it if I told him that those verses might apply to his impatience. Keep asking, seeking, and knocking…especially the knocking, if you’re Aaron and Mom keeps closing her door. I know that’s not what you meant but I couldn’t help myself, Nancy. I love your input. 🙂
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Patty, you are such a powerful writer. You had me laughing at the word picture of Aaron hovering better than a hummingbird, then relating to the patience that is required in the wait for prayers to be answered, to tearing up at the thought of the toll years of seizures have taken Aaron. Thank you for sharing the words of encouragement from the Psalms.
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And I appreciate your encouragement so much, Beth. God bless you!
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❤️❤️❤️Great lesson as always Patty.
Patience is maybe one of the toughest fruits of the spirit for me to reach (and not just because I’m short!!!) …But God!!! Thankfully He sets an example for me to follow if I choose to!!
Praying for Aaron and those seizures, Jeffrey is in the very same boat. Jesus has their journey and course all mapped out, we just need to trust His control.🙏
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I’m short too, Alicia – both physically and spiritually. 🙂 Where would I be without God’s patience? Thank you for your prayers and I will do the same right now for Jeffrey. I know how it hurts your heart and your Mom’s. Blessings, my friend.
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❤️❤️❤️
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You are a loving and patient mom. I admire your strength and I’m encouraged by it. Blessings, Patty!
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Thank you, Cindy. Only God’s grace. And He is so patient with me when I’m impatient. Have a blessed weekend.
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So beautiful and poignant my dear Patty. Love you all.
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Thank you, Barbara. Continued prayers for you with much love.
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