How Long Do You Wait Before You Move On?

This is the question that is first and foremost in my mind as I think about friends and family who have waited and now are celebrating the end to their longing.

A prodigal daughter and mother reunited.

A divorced mother weeks away from marrying the love of her life.

A weary author finally seeing their book in print.

Did they actually think this moment would come? Do they remember what it was like to wait? How often did they contemplate giving up?

And as I sit and wait with no ending in site I wonder…

Do they realize that somewhere there are family members still praying for reconciliation?

Do they know somewhere a wife is holding on to her marriage despite the urge to give up and start over?

Do they understand the pain of seeing someone else realize their dreams, receive the blessings of God while others still wait and pray and wonder why God generously hands out blessings to some while others only receive problem after problem?

Do they remember what it was like to despair in the waiting?

If you’re on the other side of “the wait,” or if you’re in a good place in your waiting (like me as of this moment, but that could change,) then encourage someone who isn’t. But not the encouragement that reeks of “I can’t remember what it was like to walk the long, lonely road of waiting.” The encouragement that says “I know where you’re at and how you feel because I’ve been there.”

Be someone’s blessing today.

Let them cry on your shoulder and don’t offer them pie in the sky affirmations.

Just be real.

And when they ask that question “how long should I wait before I move on?” Simply say, “as long as it takes. And trust me, it’s worth the wait.”

It’s going to be worth the wait!