The Waiting Room of Life

We've all been there: the non-descript and bland decor, rows of chairs facing each other, back issues of magazines, waiting anxiously for your name to be called to end the monotony. A doctor's waiting room. A familiar place to us all. Sometimes life feels like a doctor's waiting room. This past year my life has seemed like a doctor's waiting room.

If you would have told me a year ago that I'd still be in the States I wouldn't have believed you. I would have thought that I'd have been in Rwanda for at least a couple of months. I'd know snippets of Kinyarwanda phrases, I'd have visited all of the Child Development Program communities by now and have started forming friendships and relationships. Yet this is not what God has had in mind. As much as my heart yearns to be in Rwanda there are valuable lessons that I've learned in God's waiting room of life that I wouldn't trade for knowing a few more phrases of Kinyarwanda.

This year of being in the waiting room has taught me much about God's faithful provision. Almost a year ago I ended my teaching contract and thus ended regular, full-time work and a regular paycheck. There were moments in the ensuing year that I had no idea if I'd have the money to pay my health insurance premium for the month or pay another bill. Yet every single month God has provided. Just when the need got critical my phone would ring and a friend or family from church would call and need me to care for their children. Or, one of my temporary agencies would call with a week long job with excellent pay. This past year has been a tangible expression of God's care and provision. For the six months of not having a "regular" job I was constantly anxious and on-edge wondering if I would get by. Now, I don't worry anymore. I know that God has called me to Rwanda and I know He will provide for me until I get there.

Being able to trust and rest in God's provision is a lesson that I definitely needed to learn before I leave for Rwanda. I know life in Rwanda won't be easy. It will be a walk of faith every step of the way. Yet, this year in the waiting room has taught me that God will provide and He is walking with me. If that's what this year of waiting was meant for, then I am thankful for it. However, I am anxiously awaiting when my name will be called and I can step out of the waiting room onto a plane bound for Rwanda!