Waiting – To remain inactive or in a state of repose until something expected happens; to be available or in readiness; to look forward to eagerly; (Waiting is an “active” pause in life – whether we watch for a stoplight to turn green or listen for our name to be called at the doctor’s office, etc.)
Waiting, simply waiting – Waiting is something that most of us don’t really like to do and yet it seems to be something that we all must do frequently. We wait at stop lights, we wait in rush hour traffic. Why is it called rush hour? I certainly don’t know as it seems we are doing more waiting than rushing during that time of the day! We wait in line at the store to check out. We wait at the doctor’s office, we wait for the rain to stop, for spring to come and for so many other things. Sometimes it seems our waiting is never done. Yet wait we must! What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for your ship to come in so you can pay off debt? For your house to sell? The promotion at work? Vacation? Your kids to go to school? A date with your husband? Or just for life to quit being so crazy? How can you change those times of waiting from useless to useful or from frustrating to fruitful? Like Hannah, you can start by waiting on God and taking everything to Him in prayer.
Hannah waited on God. She poured out her heart to God in prayer and God heard her. Her heart’s desire was for a baby. She had been waiting for a long, long time. Year after year came and went and still she did not have the child she desired. She was sad, but she didn’t give up, she prayed. She took her problem to God and laid it at His feet. She told Him what she wanted and how she felt. She spared nothing, but gave it all to Him in prayer and God answered.
Like Hannah too, after we pour our heart out to God, we can get up and face life bravely and confidently knowing that God will answer in His time and His way. Maybe we will get exactly what we asked for from God or maybe God will change our heart’s desire and give us something even better than what we asked for. God may answer us immediately or He may wait and the answer might not come for awhile. When we give our problems to God, we can be sure that He hears whatever the outcome.
The old fashioned definition of waiting carried the idea of watchfulness and expectancy. When instead of losing our patience, we pray and wait expectantly for God’s answer, we will be at peace knowing that God will answer in His time and His way. And trust me, God’s answers are way better than what you and I come up with when we impatiently try to take things into our own hands. Are you feeling a little weary of waiting? Ask God for strength. Be honest with Him give Him all your frustrations and pain. He will give you the strength to persevere. Keep praying and keep looking up! Your answer may already be on it’s way.
PARENT PRAYER:
God,
Thank you for hearing me when I pray. I admit that I sometimes get impatient when I have to wait. Instead of waiting patiently, I complain or give up entirely on receiving the answer. Yet I know that you want me to come to you with everything. I can bring my problems, my frustrations and my pain to you knowing that you will hear me. Teach me to wait on you. When I am feeling weary or sick or hopeless, teach me to wait on you; knowing that you will answer in your own way and in your own time. Teach me to look up and rejoice in you as I wait knowing that even as I wait, I have much to be thankful for. I want to approach waiting time with thanksgiving instead of frustration. Thank you God, for hearing my prayer. I love you. Show me how to encourage my kids to wait patiently too. In this age of instant everything, it seems that waiting is a lost art. Our fast-paced world doesn’t know how to wait and sometimes my kids have a hard time waiting too. Teach us to wait on you and instead of complaining, to be thankful for what you have done for us. Amen.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH YOUR CHILD?
SHARE A STORY: Hannah Prays For A Son – 1 Samuel 1
Once there was a woman named Hannah. Hannah wanted a baby, (Pretend to hold a baby.) but she didn’t have a baby. Year after year went by and still Hannah didn’t have any children. Hannah was so sad. (Make a sad face.) She really wanted a baby to love. (Pretend to hold baby.)
One year when Hannah went to the temple church to worship, she cried (Say, ‘Boo hoo!’) and she prayed. (Fold hands as though praying.) She promised that if God gave her a baby boy, she would give him back to God to serve and worship all his life. Hannah prayed (Fold hands as though praying.) and God heard her prayer. (Fold hands as though praying.)
Hannah had a son. She named him Samuel. When Samuel was a young boy, Hannah took him to the temple church to serve God there. Each year Hannah made Samuel a new coat. (Pretend to sew.) Hannah was happy! (Smile!) She prayed and waited for God’s help and (Fold hands as though praying.) God helped her. He gave her a baby boy just like she asked for. She thanked God for giving her a baby (Pretend to hold a baby.) to love. (Place hands on heart.) God gave Hannah other children to love too. (Place hands on heart.)
God loves you (Place hands on heart.) and He gave you a family, just like He gave Hannah a baby (Pretend to hold a baby.) to love. (Place hands on heart.) God answered Hannah’s prayer (Fold hands as though praying.) and He will answer your prayers. (Fold hands as though praying.) When you pray and wait for God’s help, He will help you be brave and strong. Remember to pray for your family this week.
PRAYER:
Dear God,
Thank you for giving me a family to love and care for me. Please take care of my family. Help me to be brave and strong and to wait for your help when I pray. Amen.
For Older Siblings: Encourage them to journal their prayer this week or even draw their prayers. It may help if you get a them a fun notebook and some colorful pencils or pens to write in their journal with.
KNOW: God gave me a family.
TALK ABOUT: Who’s in your family?
ASK: Who made you? God made me. God made my family.
MEMORIZE: Ps. 27:14 ERV (Hold hands open as if holding a book.)
Be strong – (Show muscles.)
And brave – (Hands open in front of you and then close into fists.)
And wait for – (Wiggle fingers.)
The Lord’s help – (Jump and point upwards.)
For Older Siblings: Talk about how they can be patient and wait for God’s help. What does it mean to wait for God’s help? How can they wait patiently without complaining?
AND DO: I can pray for my family and wait patiently.
* Pick someone from your family to pray for at dinnertime or bedtime – could be dad, grandma or Uncle Bob. Let your child pick.
* Share a story of a time that God answered your prayer with your child – maybe, like Hannah, you prayed for your child before he/she was born.
For Older Siblings: Pray for a friend at school. Talk about a time when they have had to wait. Think of ways they can learn to wait more patiently.
Faith Steps and More 