I’m not sure why some people are habitually late. Maybe they enjoy being the center of attention when they walk through the door and everybody else is there. Whatever the excuse, they will say, “Better late than never.”
Since I don’t care to be the center of attention and I don’t like people having to wait on me, I’m always early. When I was invited to a men’s breakfast for the first time, I was told the meeting started at 8:00 a.m., so I drove up at 7:45. What had I done wrong? The place was closed.
Driving home, I complained to the Lord about making a needless trip. I sent an email from home to let people know I’d tried, only to learn that others would be getting there at 8:00. The meeting was actually at 8:30. Oh . . .
While driving back to the meeting, I complained to the Lord about having to make two trips. And this time I’d be late, which I reminded God about, just in case he didn’t know.
Breakfast was good, and so was the discussion—all about waiting. From my recent experience, I shared several insights:
- If we don’t see the value of waiting, we won’t do it.
- Our failure to wait can leave us wishing we had.
- While waiting, we shouldn’t sit and do nothing.
- We should use our time and talents while waiting, because we don’t know when the Lord will show up.
Those who put their trust in the Lord will find strength in him. They will be like eagles, soaring upward when they spread their wings. They will be like the runner who runs the full distance without getting tired. No matter how far they walk, they won’t become exhausted. — Isaiah 40:31 paraphrase