How is that all children (and many adults) can so easily proclaim: “Are we there yet? Are we there yet” as if they were lyrics of a famous song?

Some proponents of patience may recite the story of Abram who was promised by God to be the father of many nations even though his wife, Sarai, was in her eighties.  After waiting for Sarai to get pregnant, Abram finally decided not to wait anymore.  In his impatience, he convinced Sarai that it would be the right thing if he impregnated Sarai’s maidservant, Hagar. Really???

Both Old and New Testaments tell us that God will “renew our strength” as we “wait on the Lord” in thoughtful prayer.  James even tells us to be like the farmer who patiently waits for the rain. ^{James 5:7}

But let’s also examine the other side of the coin.  Here, James talks not about waiting, but taking action as he says, “You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. . .  Faith without works is dead.” ^{James 2}

I’ll bet that Abe Lincoln just finished his prayer time when he famously said, “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”

On our kitchen counter, we have a small placard just above the sink right where the dirty dishes patiently wait to be washed.  The placard says, “Faith can move mountains, but don’t be surprised if God hands you a shovel.”

Perhaps the secret to waiting or taking action can be summed up by President Woodrow Wilson who said, “All things come to him who waits – provided he knows what he is waiting for.”

Dear God, “Help us to wait on you.  And help us to grab a shovel and get busy doing the good work you have asked us to do today.  You know what needs to be done.”