At the beginning of my 50 Remarkable Things Journey, I lost my Aunt Willie Mae in October 2019 (buried the Saturday after my birthday last year). Throughout her life, she served and worshipped the Lord for all that He had done. Even through her trials and tribulations, she waited on the Lord. Since being under an order to stay home, I initially found myself in a waiting posture, but not like Aunt Willie Mae. I found myself waiting for time to pass in order to hear from Lester Holt on the national news regarding coronavirus updates, waiting to hear from the CDC for the latest hot spots, and waiting to hear from my job regarding our telework status during the pandemic. Waiting had become an endless cycle that ultimately drained my productivity and dimmed my focus regarding God’s purpose for my life.
But not now, as I look back on Aunt Willie Mae’s death, I realize her life taught each of us how to wait well! In the 21st Century, we tend not to want to wait for anything! Although waiting is an action word, it can cause us to become uncomfortable. As my Aunt waited for a kidney transplant, she continued to serve, study and praise God! She continued to have joy in the midst of her illness. According to Micah 7:7 in the New American Standard Bible, But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation My God will hear me.
Although she passed shortly after receiving a transplant, her legacy lives on in each of us! The lessons that I learned from her life have helped me during this pandemic. I have decided to wait well as she did. I will study my Bible more, I will exercise more, I will listen more closely as I wait my turn to talk instead of not actively listening as I wait to speak. I will have that same hope that Aunt Willie Mae had; that God is with me during this season and that I will come out better!
So, what are you waiting on? I challenge you to start today by waiting well! Get actively involved in living your life according to God’s purpose.
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Dr. ReShone
What an insight! Most people would discuss the fortunes that a relative left them. But here, you have expressed something more valuable. Your aunt has demonstrated to us (through you) how to teach others without them realizing that they are learning by simply modeling expectations. As you watched her, you learned patience. ... It makes me wonder, as others are watching me, what am I teaching them?
God bless you, Dr. Reshone! Your work is a blessing!
Thank you for your beautiful message on "Waiting Well".
Thank you for sharing this..waiting well has become our status of late...I’m also learning to listen to hear and not listen to respond..it’s a work in progress..silent and listen have the same letters..this is becoming more real to me each day.
Thank you again, Dr. Moore.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽