The gentle hum of mosquitoes, the sticky embrace of sunscreen and bug spray, the fine layer of dirt mingling with sweat – these are the hallmarks of a camping trip. As I reflect on such an experience, where even my pant leg-sock-shoe situation became a strategic defense against tiny predators, I recall the paradoxical feelings it evokes. There’s a certain grossness to the grime, a yearning for a refreshing shower to wash it all away. Yet, simultaneously, there’s a profound contentment, a deep peace that whispers, “This is good. This means I’m in my happy place.” This unique blend of discomfort and peace perfectly mirrors another profound experience: “the wait.”
Life often places us in these in-between moments, periods that are neither here nor there. We find ourselves in a liminal space, a threshold between what was and what will be, where the future feels uncertain, and the present is a state of active suspension. This is “the wait”—a phase that, much like a grimy but fulfilling camping trip, can be messy, challenging, and yet incredibly transformative if we embrace its deeper meaning.
Embracing The Wait: A Journey of Active Transformation
If there’s one profound truth I’ve gleaned from life’s recurring lessons in waiting, it’s this: “the wait” is not passive idleness at all. It is, in fact, an active journey, a continuous forward movement. Imagine a path from point A to point C, where B represents the invaluable bonus you gain along the way. This bonus isn’t merely a distraction; it’s the sum of lessons learned, strengths developed, and insights acquired that fundamentally reshape who you are by the time you reach your destination.
The ancient scripture from Isaiah 40:31 beautifully encapsulates this principle: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” This isn’t a call to simply sit back and do nothing. It’s a powerful promise that during these periods of profound trust and expectation, something miraculous happens within us. We are not just holding on; we are being rebuilt, strengthened, and prepared for what lies ahead. Renewing strength is exactly what we crave when trials weigh us down. The ability to run without exhaustion, to walk without faltering—these are not just poetic phrases; they are assurances of resilience and enduring fortitude gifted to those who navigate the waiting period with purpose and faith.
This renewal of strength isn’t a sudden, magical event; it’s the culmination of intentional effort during our liminal phase. It means cultivating patience, practicing resilience, and developing a deeper trust in the process. It’s about finding peace in the present discomfort, understanding that this very discomfort is shaping us for greater things. To “mount up with wings as eagles” speaks to a transcendence of current struggles, gaining a higher perspective, and finding an inner freedom that allows us to rise above challenging circumstances, rather than being weighed down by them. This perspective shift is crucial, transforming waiting from a burden into a dynamic opportunity for profound personal and spiritual evolution.
Waiting Is About Changing: The Catalyst for Growth
During the “wait,” we are promised sustenance and elevation. However, the true secret to unlocking these blessings lies in shifting our perspective. Instead of constantly looking upwards, asking “PLEASE” for our desires to be met, we should focus on the internal work and humbly ask, “How can this experience change me, help others, and make me more?” This reorientation from passive pleading to active personal development is the cornerstone of transformative waiting.
Consider past experiences that demanded prolonged waiting – the two years it took to find a house, or the intensely challenging battle with hyperemesis gravidarum. These weren’t merely periods of enduring; they were crucibles of change. I learned that waiting isn’t just about cultivating patience; it’s fundamentally about changing—our lives, our perspectives, and the impact we have on those around us. It forces us to confront our inner landscape, to re-evaluate priorities, and to discover strengths we never knew we possessed.
Waiting acts as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, compelling us to look inwards and address fundamental questions. What promises do I need to fulfill within myself during this space? What talents and virtues am I being called to cultivate? By actively engaging with these questions and committing to internal work, we find that our desired “C” (the resolution) often arrives sooner than anticipated. More importantly, when we finally step over that threshold, we carry with us the invaluable “B” – a rich collection of talents, strengths, and blessings that could have been forged in no other way. This active engagement during the wait ensures that the destination is not just an end, but a richer beginning, defined by the profound growth experienced along the journey. Embracing this perspective allows us to trust the wait, and even to embrace it, knowing the invaluable outcomes it cultivates.
The Demands of “Work” During Uncertainty
The demands of “the wait” are not merely emotional or spiritual; they are often intensely practical, requiring immense physical and mental effort. As the image of the tired child’s face conveys, these periods of uncertainty can be incredibly draining, leaving us feeling the weight of the world. It took me an entire hour just to journal about the whirlwind of events, emotions, and the paradox of feeling energized despite having seemingly zero possibilities. This energy often stems from a profound acceptance and a redirected focus on what *can* be controlled.
Life, during these commotions, becomes a relentless cycle of “work, work, work.” Our moments of joy become scarce, perhaps a national women’s soccer game in June or a rare splash in the pool. But once July hit, it was a constant grind. The work to find a home to buy, which we eventually paused. The work to find a home to rent, which seemed nonexistent. The unexpected work of packing everything ourselves after plans for movers fell through—a story for another time. And the arduous work of selling off half our belongings just to fit into an unknown future dwelling. Each task, each decision, each setback becomes a test of resilience and a reminder that “the wait” is anything but passive.
This relentless “work” during periods of transition demands an extraordinary level of adaptability and perseverance. It’s not just about physical labor; it’s the emotional labor of managing stress and disappointment, the mental labor of strategizing and problem-solving, and the spiritual labor of maintaining faith when paths seem to disappear. Yet, within this demanding landscape, we often discover an inner wellspring of strength we never knew we possessed. This active engagement, this continuous effort to navigate the practicalities of an uncertain future, is a crucial part of the transformative journey of “the wait.” It teaches us resourcefulness, sharpens our decision-making skills, and solidifies our commitment to moving forward, even when the destination remains obscured.
The Essential Practice of Rest and Receptivity
August 3rd marked our move-out date, and leading up to it, I finally hit my wall. The question screamed in my mind: “What in the world is this mess?!” We had followed guidance, and I was incredibly grateful our home sold so quickly, but now what? That familiar feeling, right? You’re doing all you can, pouring all your faith into the process, yet everything seems stuck, and no clear path emerges. This hitting of the wall is not a sign of failure but a crucial signal for what comes next: rest.
One morning, after an early workout, I settled on the front porch to read my scriptures, bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun. Just one line in, I was struck with my first miracle/lesson of the day – a day that would be full of them! The words resonated deeply: “He returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself in the labors which he had performed.” My heart skipped a few beats. REST. The profound necessity of it. So, I did. I allowed myself to simply sit outside and watch the kids play. I finally dove into a book I’d been longing to read. I was still. And I believe this intentional pause was precisely why the following days unfolded with one blessing after another. The women who came, the man who texted – all of it, simply to offer love and support. The scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, consistently offer this kind of profound guidance; I speak in prayer, and He speaks back through its pages.
But first, I had to wade through a little more turmoil, starting with urine. Yes, it’s not pleasant to say, and no, it wasn’t from our family. This messy, unexpected challenge serves as a stark reminder that even amidst seeking and finding rest, life’s unpredictable and sometimes unsavory realities persist. Yet, the rest I had taken prepared me. It built a reservoir of emotional and spiritual strength, allowing me to face the mundane and the unpleasant with greater equanimity. Who knew that rest could be so essential? So healing? So…everything? It is in these moments of conscious withdrawal, of stillness and spiritual nourishment, that we become receptive to the quiet whisperings of guidance, the unexpected kindness of others, and the profound lessons that empower us to navigate “the wait” with renewed strength and an unwavering spirit.