While We Wait
So often in life, we find ourselves waiting. I’m not talking about waiting in the drive-thru at Starbucks. Or on hold with the DMV. Or waiting for our kids to get out of the bathroom so we can just brush our teeth. Though let’s be honest, these things can feel like they are taking forever.
But what do we do when we’re waiting for God to answer a prayer? While we wait for a test result, or the doctor to call? For the prodigal child to come home? For a spouse to come to faith? For healing? For that job to come through?
Can I tell you something? I don’t wait well. If you do, mad props to you. You’re my hero.
A few years ago, my husband was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive stage 4 cancer in his sinus cavity. Ever since the original biopsy, we’ve spent time waiting. Waiting for second opinions, third opinions, surgery. Waiting for treatment. Waiting for really smart, educated people with a lot of letters after their name to consult and agree on the best course of treatment. Waiting for healing. Eventually, God defied the medical odds and after a very long season of waiting, we heard the glorious word R E M I S S I O N.
Since then, my husband has had many routine scopes, scans, and monthly check-ups with the doctors, surgeons, and specialists who had a hand in his case. So I still find myself waiting. For a scan to be scheduled. For results to be read. Waiting for the phone call when they share the results with us.
Early on, I decided that instead of waiting for the doctor to call with news, I would call them. I’m proud of the idea, but not my lack of patience. Rather than just asking for results, I took a different approach. I downloaded a calendar of random holidays and found myself calling for another reason, to brighten their day. Great idea, right?
“Hi, this is Sarah Jarrett, I’m calling to wish you a happy Chocolate Cake Day—did you eat a piece today? You should, this day only comes around once a year! While I have you on the phone, do you by chance have the MRI results?” (Or PET Scan, x-ray, blood work, bone scan or . . . you get the idea.) They would laugh. Sometimes they had the results, other times they didn’t. It was a game we played and over the years of these frequent calls, they knew my tactic. I secretly think the oncologist’s office looked forward to hearing from me.
Recently, Matt had yet another routine MRI. They are looking for any sign of cancer, we’re told. After waiting a week, I called the doctor’s office. It was “Walk to Work” day, and I wanted to make sure they didn’t miss this important day. After a bit of small talk, I was told the test results were there, but the doctor was not. I would have to wait.
Finally one night, the phone rang. Our doctor informed me that a 1.2-centimeter area of concern was discovered in the sinus cavity. She didn’t have to tell me this is exactly the same area where the original tumor was located. We will have to wait a month for the follow-up scan. In the meantime, the results will be sent to the rest of our team so they can discuss the next step. More waiting.
What are you waiting for?
Here are my seven practical steps for waiting. I will be practicing these every day for the next month.
- We pray. 1 Peter 5:7 says to cast your cares on Him because He cares for you. When I think about how much He cares for me, my heart overflows.
- We spend time in God’s Word. Write it down and memorize it. Psalm 119:10–11 tells us the psalmist sought God with his whole heart, he hid God’s Word in his heart. I write verses on Post-its and put them EV-ER-Y-WHERE. I like to think I’m decorating with 3M.
- We take every thought captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us how. Don’t let the what-if thoughts live in your (my) head. When doubts and fears come, replace them with God’s Word. It is alive, it is powerful, and true.
- We think on whatsoever things are true. As it says in Philippians 4:8. Focus on the truths found in the Word. Do I know if Matt’s cancer is back? No. Do I know if we’re going to have to make hard decisions? No. Don’t go there. Don’t wander. But rather, what is true? God loves me. He has a plan for me. He went to prepare a place for me in Heaven where there are no more tears. No more sorrow. No more pain. He sent His Son to die for me.
- We hold tightly to His promises. 2 Chronicles 20:17 and Psalm 27:13–14 are promises God has given to me. Look them up, they are life changers. Write them on a 3M sticky and decorate your mirror.
- We surrender. As Jesus prayed in Luke 22:42, “Not My will, but Yours.”
- We trust. Romans 8:28 reminds us that God knows best, and He has a plan in this. He works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
So today I will wait. And while I wait, I will be talking to myself. Telling my mind what my heart knows. Reminding my heart what I know is true. God is good even when I don’t understand. God has it all in His hands. I can wait. Some of it might even be self-imposed waiting—in a Starbucks drive-thru.
11 comments
Cheryl | May 19, 2017
Thank you. This is a very timely read. Praying the very best for your husband's health.
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Pat Martin | May 19, 2017
Sarah, thanks for this wise and timely post. In my season of waiting on many things close to my heart, I have found that the only way to run this Christian Race with endurance is to follow the tried and true steps you have laid out so well. May God show you His glory each day as you continue to wait. We are all waiting for something, and so we trust in our faithful and loving Lord. Amen.
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Lynne | May 19, 2017
Thank you! Really needed this reminder!
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Tamara | May 20, 2017
Amen ...
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Sheryll Anderson | May 21, 2017
You are wise from your experience and trust!
Thank you for the reminder that we have a Good, Good, Father
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Sharon Schutte | May 21, 2017
Thank you Sarah....wisdom!
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Lyn | May 22, 2017
Thank you for this Sarah! I am awaiting the results of a biopsy now and your practical steps for waiting will be put to good use. Both you and Matt are in my prayers.
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Darcy | May 23, 2017
Loved every word. Shared!
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Cindy Tschann | May 24, 2017
Thank you Sarah for always sharing your story with us. I love seeing what God is doing in and through you all.
God Blessings on you and your sweet family.
Always praying,
Cindy
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Vicki | June 17, 2017
Thank you Sarah. I read this on June 10th and for some reason saved it in my notes. On Monday morning June 12th about 3 a.m. I sat with my husband in the ER of our small hometown as our lives forever changed when they told us they found what they believed to be stage 4 cancer in his colon. Since then we have had many hours of waiting and this evening while he is finishing up his last several hours of chemo number 1 I shared this with him. I will be honest, I too hate to wait and find myself scared but fully trusting God. I will be saving these steps and reading over them often. Bless you, thank you and I pray for you and your husband as the results you have waited 30 days for should arrive this week.
Sarah | June 19, 2017
Vicki,
I will be praying for your husband, and for you. The cancer journey is so hard. There are so many unknowns. And the waiting is so difficult. But it's also a sweet opportunity for us to press in tightly to the One who knows and loves us so deeply. The Word becomes so comforting and alive. His promises are true. May you experience Him so intimately in this season and I'll pray God gives you grace, peace and rest. <3
Vicki | July 8, 2017
Thank you for the prayers!
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Norma | June 29, 2017
God bless you Vicki. So praying for your husband and yourself. What an inspiration.
Vicki | July 9, 2017
Thank you Norma. We so appreciate the prayers.
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