Sometimes I sit and stare at the blank computer screen and wonder what I will write that makes any difference to people. I often think, ‘What on earth could I possibly write that anyone will give two hoots about.’ I guess what I am trying to say is I really do not always have something to share that I think has any purpose other than to fill a space on a page. So my point, and I do have one, is I often do not have the patience to write anything (more on that in a bit). With that bold admission, here is what I am going to say for better or worse.
Right now we are almost a month into 2021, I cannot believe it. I think time goes fast when we want it to go slow and slow when we want it to go fast. Have you ever heard the phrase, “Hurry up and wait?” That is sort of where we are at Open Hands Midway. We are waiting for our new convection oven, we are waiting to open our new food shelf space, and we are waiting for the installation of our new outdoor sign. Lots of waiting! That reminds me of yet another phrase, “Good things come to those who wait.” I do not know about you but I do not care to wait. I like things to happen quicker than they do and when they do not I often get a bit frustrated. Are you ready for yet another phrase?
Patience is a virtue. THAT is my favorite, no I am kidding. Growing up I was a bit of an impatient kid, the kind that would ask, “Mom are we there yet” or tell my Mom my schoolwork was done so I could go out and play when in reality it was not done but I had no patience for schoolwork, I wanted to go out and play. Now in my role as Executive Director at Open Hands Midway I seem to flit from one task to anyone, like a dog who sees a squirrel. You will be amazed to learn I am not one who likes to do administrative work, yet as the sole person who has the daily task of running the organization, I wear all the hats and do all the tasks. Trust me when I say I LOVE my job but know that it is far more than being present for meal and food shelf services. As I have grown up I have learned more patience but I can honestly say I still have a portion, a good portion, of my character that has no patience at all. When someone around me is impatient I often say, “You should practice your fruit of the spirit called patience.” Maybe I need to heed my own advice.
You are probably wondering where this is going, be patient (pun intended) I am getting there. We are living in a day and age when instant gratification is the norm. Waiting is not. I, like many of you I am sure, are waiting to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. I, like many of you, am waiting for social injustice and racism to be overcome once and for all. I, like many of you, am waiting to fully understand where I can make a difference or what I can change as a person who has probably been more of the problem than the solution to social injustice and racism. This is not easy, not at all. But I have to be patient and know that I might go where I did not expect, I might engage in something I did not expect and I may be tested. Let us not look back to what was, to the comfortable, but look forward to what can be, the new, the potentially uncomfortable things for the betterment of not only ourselves but those we meet on the journey. Life is a journey and as I like to say, “The reward is IN the journey.” Enjoy the journey, even if you are impatient like me.
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