Thursday, December 4, 2008

What are you waiting for?

I don't often post about my faith. In fact, since I just created the label, I have probably not posted anything about my faith. Maybe about church, but not faith. I have been pondering this post, or rather the idea of this post, for a week now. I think I'm ready to share it with you.

On our way to see the family for Thanksgiving, the kids were watching "The Incredibles." I was not really listening to the movie, but at one point the dialogue caught my attention. There's a scene in which Mr. Incredible comes home from work, parks in his driveway, and gets out of his car. He notices the neighborhood kid on his bike at the end of the driveway, waiting and watching.

"What are you waiting for?" asks Mr. Incredible.

"I don't know, something amazing!" says the neighborhood kid.

For the last week, that little bit has replayed itself over and over in my mind. I find myself 'hearing' it on the way to preschool, while I'm out running errands, or while I'm doing work around the house. And each time I think of it, I wonder what I'm waiting for. I wonder what any of us is waiting for. Most of all, I wonder why we are just waiting for something amazing to happen.

For me, this is a reminder that I need to pray every day. However big or small my cares are, I need to take them to God. I need to take them to Him whenever I'm in need, as many times a day as I'm in need. I need to hand it all over, not just wait to see if He will come and take away my cares, fix my problems, and give me something amazing in return. How can I be a good role model for my children (with whom I say bedtime prayers every night) if I'm not saying prayers myself? How can I answer their questions about my relationship with God if I don't truly have one?

I don't know how long I'll keep hearing the neighborhood kid in my head as my reminder, but I hope I'm never found to be just sitting there, waiting on something amazing.

3 comments:

Heather said...

AMEN! I've been struggling with improving my relationship with God these days, especially in light of the holiday season. I can so easily be distracted and forget to simply live in the relationship of love He has created for me. Thanks for the reminder! May our searches for a better relationship show fruit! PS I think you are a great example. :)

Susannah said...

Beautiful! The most tender thing is that our Lord is always calling us exactly as He knows we'll hear it - tailors the message for right where we are, in the moment, with whatever means is available. No denying the movement of the Holy Spirit when you experience it - whether through a t-shirt, or (wonder of wonders) a Hollywood movie scene. Now that's AMAZING!

Susannah said...

Oh, & Heather's right - you are a great example! :)