Hurry Up and Wait!

How many times do you rush to leave the house, race on the edge of the speed limit plus five, fly into wherever it is you are headed to find yourself at the back of a slow moving line?

In the United States I am submerged in the Western Cultural Mindset of "Hurry Up and Wait." My calendar is filled, chaining me to a rigid pace with very little margin. I finish the day trading my list of unfinished tasks for the latest young adult fiction novel only to drift off before finishing one page.

Yet there is a lesson God is still teaching me in this time: patience.

Waiting on His timing.

Resting in His hands.

With Singapore as my decided (yet not officially announced to the world) destination, I have massive amounts of tasks to complete. I race to be fully funded, trained, and prepared, so that I can begin my language study and integration into Southeast Asian ministry. However, I have to remind myself that these things take time. If I just hurry through this season of life, I may find a slow moving line once I reach my destination.

Can someone say, "Hurry up and wait?"

An Inspiring Message

"Obstacles have become challenges to overcome and stumbling blocks have become steppingstones," Liberia's President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf proclaimed at the University of Minnesota's Northrop Auditorium Friday.

The first President I have ever seen in person, Madam Sirleaf inspired the entire crowd of 5,000 People. Whitney and Sarah and I stood in the rush line hoping to get tickets to the sold out presentation. Thankfully, a few tickets found their way into our hands.

What inspired me the most was the list of improvements Sirleaf oversaw through her Presidency since 2006. Many politicians can tell you about the positive change their leadership has caused, but in the case of President Sirleaf, I've seen it.

I was in Liberia in 2006 and saw the state of the war-torn country. Bullet holes polka dotted each streetlight skeleton, potholes dimpled every road, and the people were hard-faced, abrasive, and gave you reason to fear a trip into town.

Now things are different. I was just there one month ago. Though pockets of local crime still exist, the people are filled with hope. Functioning streetlights now line the smooth roads in Monrovia and the people are looking to the future with a smiles on their faces. Liberia has been transformed.

I believe Madam Sirleaf has the hand of God on her, granting her favor among her people and success in policy implementation. She is an inspiration for me to persevere, never give up, and keep trusting in our Living Heavenly Father.