Our daughter, Maddie, went to dinner over the weekend with friends. She came over yesterday, and told us all about it, as the three of us had been to this particular restaurant before and had a really good experience. Completely different, apparently, from the one she encountered this time around.

When they got there, they were asked to wait, even though there were several empty tables. At first, they thought it was due to a shortage of wait-staff, but then they were told that those were tables being held for reservations. Understanding the situation, and since they didn’t have one, they settled in for what they hoped would be a reasonable wait.

People came and went.

Dinners were served, eaten, and chatted over.

And still they waited.

Maddie noticed one table in particular was never used. It remained empty, and when they asked about it, again, they were told the same thing: it was reserved. It appeared they held reservations indefinitely at this very popular restaurant, on a Saturday evening.

Having had enough, they pushed to be seated and finally were.

At the table that had been empty the entire time.

By this late hour, they were all famished, but when they put their orders in, the waitperson informed them that the kitchen was now out of several of the dishes they requested. Frustrated, they basically threw up their hands and just said to bring them the closest thing to what they originally ordered.

Then they waited some more.

When they were all finally served, the portions were of appetizer size.

Salt in the wound? Anyone?

I think we’ve all been in situations like this. Waiting, waiting, waiting. I’m actually in one right now, and as much as I’d like to tell you that I’m handling it well, and trusting the Lord, that would really be a lie. I’m not. I’m actually astonished to the point that I’m not. I find myself wanting to push the process, and make things happen on my own, just so I can see the thing move even an inch.

You know, I’ve been around long enough to have been in this waiting room before. I know the consequences of getting ahead of God. He has the table reserved for a feast, but when I get called of my own volition, it always ends up a paltry affair, that never fails to leave me hungry for more.

And yet, here I am. Pushing…pushing.

Where is my faith?

For all of us in the waiting room today, I’m praying that we’ll not settle for the meager leftovers forced by our own hand, but settle in…into the assurance that we’ll not be left waiting indefinitely…into the anticipation of a bountiful banquet spread that can only come from faith and trust.

“I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodnessin the exuberant earth. Stay with God!Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again:Stay with God.” Psalm 27:13-14 MSG

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 ESV

“Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18 ESV

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:25 ESV