Article June 28, 1924 Issue

Waiting

EDNA C. H. LOVE

In the Bible we read, "And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him." The writer of this article deeply rejoices in the experiences in her life which have necessitated waiting. This waiting process seems an ordeal to be gone through; and when properly used, it has a great purifying and regenerating influence. One beautiful quality associated with waiting is patience, a quality that is indispensable to an harmonious life,—a divine quality to be demonstrated by each one of us. Therefore, while we are waiting for the solution of any problem, whether large or small, to unfold, we require patience; but we also gain experience. In working out our problems we have to wait on God,—wait for Him to show us the way. And Mrs. Eddy tells us in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 254), "When we wait patiently on God and seek Truth righteously, He directs our path."

Problems often involve the waiting to grow in grace and strength, to reflect more of the Christ-nature,—more mercy, kindness, forgiveness, joy, love, contentment, or, perhaps, more gratitude for blessings already received. Mrs. Eddy says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 118), "Be of good cheer; the warfare with one's self is grand; it gives one plenty of employment." This shows us that waiting and warfare generally go hand in hand; that while we are waiting we have plenty to overcome,—possibly self-righteousness to replace with humility, or hatred may have to be overcome, learning in its stead what impartial kindness, affection, and courtesy are. Before some seeming obstruction can be removed, perhaps a clearer understanding has to be gained of our human relationships, either as teacher, friend, husband, wife, parent, or child. The idea must be discerned and be found in accord with divine Principle.

In our endeavor to surmount some obstacle confronting us, it may be necessary to wait lovingly and patiently on our brother-man, to wait for him to reflect health or, perhaps, to express and reflect more honesty, straightforwardness, loyalty, purity, fairness; in other words, to wait for him to acquaint himself with God. "Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must 'have her perfect work,'" Mrs. Eddy tells us (Science and Health, p. 454). If the problem makes it necessary to wait on our neighbor, our part in the matter would be to give him no criticism in word or deed, not even to permit a critical thought to be sent out against him; but to give him righteous judgment, since this is the only kind of judgment spiritual understanding allows.

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