It only took months but he finally got it. After countless nights, Carl figured out a way to keep himself safe from his sister’s wrath. It was as simple as timing. He figured out that if he came into the bedroom before Bee, he could race across the room, jump onto his chair, and snuggle deep into his cushion. Then when she finally appears, he would be safe from the horrors of her domination.
Timing is a significant variable in our lives. After being married for over three decades, I have come to realize that the time I share unpleasant information with my husband can be the most important variable on how he will receive it. Early on in my marriage, I would blurt out whatever was on my mind the second he walked in the door. It took a while but I finally realized that this wasn’t helping anyone.
So now, I hold my tongue until he has had time to relax a few minutes, get some food in his stomach and unwind from work. Timing is a factor that we should never take for granted, particularly when we are praying to God. God knows when it is best to answer our prayers.
We all want our prayers answered immediately, particularly if there is suffering involved. We don’t want to wait and hold on to the ordeal that life can throw at us. The Israelites felt this way when the Babylonians had taken them captive. For seventy years they were tortured and exposed to horrors that were unbearable.
So where was God? Why would He allow his people to experience such suffering? God had spoken through Jeremiah years before and pleaded for his people to repent and return into a relationship with Him. He had even shared with Jeremiah how long these people would be in bondage.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
I know this verse specifically pertains to the Israelites but I do believe that God has plans for each of us. And in these plans He has a specific timeline for all the details of our lives. So when I experience suffering and want God to fix it now, I must trust in His perfect timing.
Carl’s inability to understand the importance of timing is a reminder to me that I don’t understand many of the lessons that God tries to teach me. As he learns the benefit of getting into his bed before his sister comes into the room, I need to look into my own life and trust God with the details.
Carl was afraid to come out of the shower.
