Waiting Well

Yesterday was all about waiting…

…I chatted to Josh. He and his girlfriend are about to go on holiday. They’ve been planning and saving for this holiday for years. They’re flying to Florida, spending two weeks at Disney and a week at Universal Studios. They’re excited, counting down the days. It’s been a long wait.  

…We went to a furniture store. We’ve been talking about buying a new sofa for some time. Earlier in the week we investigated options, discussed designs and fabrics, compared prices. Yesterday we made a decision, paid a deposit. They’ll inform us when it arrives in the warehouse. Meanwhile we wait.

…There was the solar eclipse. There was advice about the best ways to observe it safely, and pictures of those enjoying the experience. Apparently, this 2026 eclipse is the first total solar eclipse visible over mainland Europe since 1999. Some folks have spent years waiting…

…We watched the European Athletic Championships, including Matthew Hudson-Smith winning the four hundred metres. Experts discussed athletes preparing for the championships, endeavouring to perform their best on the day. Their waiting time involved months of training in the gym, on the track…

Waiting well involves anticipation – having a picture of the future – the holiday enjoyed, the sofa purchased, the medal won. It involves preparation – being ready – booking the tickets, getting the dark glasses, careful training. Waiting also includes uncertainty; things may not work out as expected on the holiday, in the race…

When I was a boy at school, each morning Mr Soderberg read a prayer. One was: ‘Into thy hands, O Lord, we commit ourselves this day. Give to each of us a watchful, humble, and a diligent spirit, that we may seek in all things to know thy will, and when we know it may perform it perfectly and gladly, to the honour and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Being watchful, humble and diligent in our anticipation, preparation and uncertainty seems an appropriate prayer for waiting well.