Almost a year ago I was walking across the house, tripped and landed on my right knee and in the process, broke my big toe on my right foot. Not my finest hour but most assuredly my most painful in a long time. Now keep in mind we had just moved into our new home and although I had already unpacked many boxes and had some semblance of order, there was much yet to do. It had to WAIT.

My sister-in-love loaned me a cane she had from a previous knee surgery and except for getting up to go to the restroom—which was nothing short of a dreaded excursion across the house—I sat with my leg propped up and ice on my knee and foot. Thankfully my husband was working from home for a few months, so he basically waited on me throughout the day. The weather was getting increasingly nicer each day and from my living room window I can see the golfers playing in the warm sunshine. I could barely walk 20 feet without sitting down. Golf had to WAIT.

If you know anything about me, you know I am always on the go. I love to walk outside and for 25 years I’ve walked 2-4 miles almost every day and absolutely prefer to do so outside. Also, it’s not uncommon for me to head out and shop all day—I may not spend a dime, but I love being out and about. Sitting, let alone sitting because I can’t do anything else is tough. I had to WAIT.

Not only was walking a short distance extremely difficult, driving was impossible. Just getting in and out of a car was excruciatingly painful and there was no way I could operate a car safely since my right leg was basically incapacitated. Driving had to WAIT.

The proverbial flashing hold button (for anyone under 40 you probably have no idea what I’m talking about) was on in my personal life. I had to heal. I had to take it one day at a time. There wasn’t anything else to do—I had to WAIT.

Fast forward a year and here I sit inside my home not because of an injury but because of the virus that has traveled the globe from China and created a pandemic. As instructed by health authorities and government officials, I am self-isolating. Just like everyone else, I WAIT.

This past December our best friends visited us for a few days. We were excited to show them a few of the fun things to do in our town and the surrounding areas. One day we ventured to the largest city in the area. Because parking is always a premium in an urban area, we parked and walked to our destinations. Using the crosswalks was very important for our safety. As the four of us stood that day waiting on the light to change, the crossing light “voice” would repeat…WAIT…WAIT…WAIT.

Throughout the rest of their visit and ever since, the four of us have laughingly told each other for various reasons—WAIT. Little did we realize that day, WE ALL would soon be told to WAIT.

So, while we wait, let’s not waste time. Waiting isn’t about doing nothing. Waiting can be about examining what is important. We are without so many distractions that bombard us moment-by-moment let’s not reach the other side of this and realize we wasted an opportunity to reset—to reexamine our schedules and priorities. We have no choice but to WAIT let’s not “waste the WAIT!”

My prayer is that we focus on Jesus, our marriages, our children and grandchildren, our extended families, our neighbors, communities, and our country. As believers, let’s focus on praying like never before and let’s see what Almighty God will do in our midst.

The hold button is flashing big time right now for all of us. We must heal physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. We must take it one day at a time. We will persevere. We must WAIT.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods.
This I declare, that he alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he rescues you from every trap and protects you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings! They will shelter you. His faithful promises are your armor.  Now you don’t need to be afraid of the dark anymore, nor fear the dangers of the day; nor dread the plagues of darkness, nor disasters in the morning.
Psalm 91:1-6 (Living Bible)

WAIT!