Waiting There For Me

I had the most faithful best friend ever; he valued every moment we spent together. I would talk to him in the early morning hours while sipping on my tea. Our conversation would continue throughout the day as things popped into my head. He never made me feel like I was interrupting him.  He was never a no-show, though I must admit, there were times I showed up late for our morning chat. He never seemed annoyed; he just responded with kindness and without judgment.

I trusted him with every intimate detail of my heart—things I didn’t dare say aloud to others and those emotions that were too deep to speak — he seemed to innately understand. 

I met him in my early 20’s, and from that moment on our relationship deepened. It was life changing and I began to depend on him more and more. He was at every family event and listened in quietly, only speaking when asked a question, and then you had to listen very carefully to hear his still small voice. He is that way; humble and non-descript.

When I faced various crossroads in my life, he directed me with wisdom and insight. He rejoiced with me when my heart was high on the mountain and held my hand when the fog was too thick for me to see what was ahead. He even sang special songs to me in the night when I couldn’t sleep.

He reminded me that everything in my life that caused me pain would also be that which would add substance to my inner being. These were always complex conversations. At the time, I wasn’t quite sure I agreed with him, but I trusted him. The better I got to know him I learned from his own life that suffering and glory are two sides of the same coin.

Then life got busy with—well, life.  At first, I skipped a few morning calls and soon I even neglected to let him know I wasn’t showing up. I just figured he was as busy as me and probably didn’t mind my absence.

As many days passed, and seasons changed, it was that time of year where his birthday was coming up. I loved celebrating his birthday.  Everyone did — even those that weren’t part of his circle. The festive environment beckoned all to come. He threw the best parties—well at least those that organized it did.  Everyone dressed in their finest attire, there would be special songs, beautiful decorations, lots of sparkling lights, and everyone gave gifts.

As the day drew nearer, I felt the need to see if he was available to meet. Maybe it was guilt, but also a realization that emptiness had grown in my heart in his absence. I had to push aside my pride and see if he was available to meet.

But before I could even make the call, I heard a knock. And there he was.  He acted as though time had not lapsed between us. The conversation flowed and my innermost being was immediately filled to the brim.

I never want to miss my daily meetings with him again.  He told me—and without any malice—that while I had not shown up, he was there every morning just waiting for me.

 Just. Waiting. For. Me.

“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

“Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

As we grow busier and life moves faster and we are pulled away from the things of God, we will naturally begin to depend on our own abilities, resources, and personalities. We will no longer be dependent for our communication with Him, Jesus Christ the Savior of this world, and our relationship will be stifled.   The good news is we can return with the simplicity and dependence of a little child, and even without saying a word, he will hear your heart speaking, “Papa, I’ve missed you.” And you can begin fresh and anew. There’s no better time than now.

“O God, You are my God,

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You,

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1)