Last evening I went to a bookstore coffee shop and stood at the counter to order my coffee. No workers were around so I stood waiting … and waiting. I looked for a bell to ring for service. There was none. My mind wandered to all I could accomplish if someone was at the counter and I was already seated. I waited longer and then smiled–once again my impatience reared its ugly head.

Our world has become so fast paced that standing in line for a few minutes with no one around to serve us seems like an eternity.

Our technology today does not help. Rather than wait for a letter to arrive in the mail, we routinely check email for the quick response. Rather than wait for the scheduled time slot to watch a movie, we search On-Demand and watch whatever we want whenever we want. And that does not even compare to the instant options available to us when it comes to cell phones today. All these gadgets can make us an impatient society bothered by having to wait for anything.

Now, I have to admit I like On-Demand and the quick responses of email but I find that it is hard not to carry the right-now mentality into the rest of my life. Such as:

          Why cannot our children obey instantly?

          Why cannot dogs be instantly trained?

          Instant answers to prayers would be nice.

Unfortunately, life does not work that way. I find the gotta-have-it-right-now attitude rubs against the fabric of how life works and creates a few holes.

At times I am unknowingly edgy when my daughter needs teaching in an area rather than instantly knowing what she should do. I am unnecessarily frustrated at our dog that cannot learn to heel on the first or second walk. And I wonder where God is when I think He has missed a few opportunities to answer my prayers.

I find I need a constant post-it note on my forehead reminding me that much of the best of life comes in the waiting, the discovering, the unearthing, and yes most importantly … the journey.

When I remember this, I find such incredible treasures along the way–my daughter takes flight once she has the tools taught to her that she needs, I learn to rest in the sovereign plan of God knowing that He is in control and I do not have to be. And our dog … well, she is in process and an exercise of my patience at every evening walk. She will catch on soon enough.

What treasure will you discover today?

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a bit … loud. My laugh can be heard over a crowd, my voice projects when I talk without even trying, and I can’t tell a story without standing up and showing it in action. It’s just how I am. I’ve always been a theatrical storyteller.

We recently returned from our Cancun vacation and were at the hairdressers for my daughter’s haircut. The hairdresser asked about our trip and I couldn’t just leave it at “It was good.” Instead, I began telling her the story of the day we got stuck in a flood on an island and how the next day we got severely drenched waiting 10 minutes for a bus, of which both stories provided plenty of drama itself. But I didn’t just tell the story, I stood up for a few theatrical parts, much to my daughter’s dismay.

I believe it was around the time I was “slopping” behind the salon chair making squishing sound effects as the hairdresser laughed, that my daughter said, “MOM!” and gave me the look of please sit down.

On the ride home, she said, “Mom, your stories are really funny, but let’s face it — you’re rather loud. I think everyone in the salon heard and saw you tell the story.”

I of course laughed and said, “I probably cheered someone up in that room that needed a good laugh today.”

“But we don’t know the rest of those people,” she said.

I proceeded to remind her that this is just how God wired me and the way I’ve always told stories and events. She echoed–much to her dismay–she does the same thing. We both laughed.

Rather than try to be like everyone else, be your uniquely different self. Who knows, you might even brighten someone else’s day.

Independence. It’s something all kids long to exert.

At two, my daughter got into my eyeshadow. She “knew” what to do even though she looked like she had two black eyes. I did what any parent would do — grabbed my camera and took a picture!

At four, she insisted on getting her bike unstuck all by herself. Never mind that she straddled the gutter with her training wheels. I was only allowed to watch as she peddled faster and faster, to no avail, to get the bike moving. I silently smiled.

At eight, she boasted how much older she was than the kindergartners we taught Sunday School to each week. I chuckled to myself when she told the kindergartners, “When I was little …” 

At eleven, middle school began and she didn’t need us to walk her to the bus stop anymore (although we were “allowed” to come if we brought the dog with us). I brought the dog as often as possible.

Now at thirteen, it’s all about going alone to the mall with her friends. As I write this, I’m sitting here at the mall’s food court while my daughter and her friend exert their independence. I allow thirty minute increments of this freedom before they have to check in with me again for the next round. I show my gratitude when they return on time.

As I reminisce, I remember how much I’ve enjoyed every stage of her growth. With each new phase, come new experiences and challenges. 

Things are different now — I’m not allowed to bring a camera to the mall for pictures and I got the please-don’t-embarrass-me-look when I gave her hand an I-love-you-squeeze in church today. (I sometimes forget what it’s like to be thirteen.) That’s okay. Her budding independence is a joy and an absolute kick! Sure, as with every phase, it carries it’s share of challenges. But now I sit and listen as she shares her passions and dreams with me. I beam when she makes a responsible choice. I’m touched when she gives me something she’s written that blesses my heart. I proudly watch her teach the kindergartners each Sunday morning — by herself — while my husband and I stand in the backdrop to offer help when she needs it.

Growth and independence — two beautiful things. As parents, we need to embrace it in our children. If we channel it in the right direction, there will be nothing our children cannot successfully do!