Wait For It....

Some years ago, my family vacationed at Lake Tahoe. It was almost midnight when we arrived at the hotel, so we had no idea what the environs were like. Early the next morning, while the rest of the family was still sleeping, I decided to take a quick stroll. However, the heavy fog made it impossible to see anything beyond, say, 50 feet. I saw small pools of water, swaying reeds, quacking ducks, and gangly saplings near me, but that was all I could make out. The fog had cloaked the rest.

I walked over to the hotel lobby for “free breakfast,” wondering what we should do for the day if the weather wouldn't cooperate. But, on my way back to the room, I noticed that the fog had receded significantly. My eyes now feasted on the broad marshland peppered with shimmering ponds and groves of mature trees a few hundred yards from where I stood. And, everything glistened and twinkled thanks to the beams of sunlight. Yet, more was veiled than revealed still.

Intrigued, I returned to the same spot an hour or so later. By then, the fog had withdrawn completely, and I was awed by the panoramic portrait featuring jagged peaks, sparkling lakes, dense evergreens, and snowy slopes against the backdrop of cobalt blue sky. It was simply majestic. Imagine that--all of that was shrouded by the fog just a few hours earlier!

I learned an important lesson that morning. I can have a better sense of where I am, what the circumstances are, and what the direction is if I wait patiently. In life, there will be smoke screens and fogs and clouds and obstacles, but they are temporary phenomenons. Thus, I need to remind myself to remain optimistic and persevere to overcome what feels like insurmountable challenges.

Parenthetically, I also learned that hasty decisions should not be made when clarity is absent. Should I have stayed indoors all day because of the fog I encountered that morning? Later that day, the weather turned sunny and crisp, so we were able to trek scenic hiking trails and cruise around the lake with our windows down. Had we stayed in, why, we would have missed out on a wonderful and memorable experience! We can be imprudent and impulsive when we’re anxious. It’s as if doing something, though misguided and flawed, is better than waiting and doing nothing. But, the wiser choice is to gain clarity through additional facts, further research, and deeper contemplation. And, you can’t hurry that process.

As I write this piece, it seems that the effects of COVID-19 will linger on well into 2021. That’s not good news. But, I ask you to remain patient. Don’t lose hope. Don’t abandon your plans. Don’t throw in the towel. Instead, turn to the Son for the light in the darkness, courage to face adversities, strength to withstand the storms of life, and wisdom to navigate through tumultuous times. Take one day at a time, one step at a time by placing your trust in the One who is in control.

Do remain positive, patient, and resilient. Lift your eyes to see beyond the here and now. As you walk by faith and not by sight, you will gain confidence in the One whose name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.