Give Thanks in Waiting

BY Minnie Lee

There is nothing I’ve waited for longer than a peace-filled family—not a perfect family but a family that loves through the disagreements, hardships, and tragedies as well as the celebrations and triumphs. Healthy conflict resolution has been a very unfamiliar thing to me and my brothers, and as adults we’re only recently starting to learn what that looks like. And we’re fumbling our way toward it.

Recently, our family had to face a significant transition in my parents’ lives, and it was met with resistance. As someone who has been praying over this particular situation, I was beyond discouraged and felt like a failure for not being able to change our family dynamics. 

However, God kindly showed me what has changed in the middle of things that feel unchanging: We three siblings have become united in showing compassion to one another through what is sensitive and difficult. We are determined to be there for each other, and this realization has been more than enough when the circumstances are frustrating. 

I’m reminded of Anna, who after the death of her husband lived eighty-four years as a prophetess and worshiped God faithfully (Luke 2:36–38). She reminds me of how He surely renews us, giving us His presence in what is disappointing and broken. Whatever gaps I feel in relationships now, I can see how God has re-parented me and fulfilled those needs. God has worked, and here I am with my brothers, resting my heart with the perfect heavenly Father as we wait.

Moreover, He waits with us, carrying us in the mess. I think of Simeon, who waited faithfully for the promised Messiah. He kept showing up and was then able to recognize God’s plan for the world when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple (vv.25–35). While I don’t know what the outcome of our family talks will be, as I wait, He reminds me that He has always been with me, stretching and softening me to become more like Jesus. 

In our lives, we practice waiting for Christ as we forgive and worship God. I give thanks to the Father, the one who continues to work in and through us as we wait.