Reflection on Readings: Not Forgetful, Just Time-Sensitive

"You shall have your sunset.  I shall command it.  But according to my science of government, I shall wait until conditions are favorable."

(Antoine De Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince)

We ask like children, always wanting our wishes to be granted promptly ... even though we know there is a proper time for everything.  

I understood this even more when I became a mother.  I held off treats just before meal time to ensure that my son does not spoil his appetite.  I pushed him to finish his school work on weekdays, so that he can do more fun stuff during the weekend.  But it took a lot of ruined weekend plans before he finally got it; that cheating on his daily schedule will, in consequence, result to school work spilling over the weekend --- which means, no time for having fun.

I imagine God shaking His head right now ... because I am still stumbling over this one, pushing for what I want when I want it (NOW) and inevitably dealing with the unfavorable consequences.

And then, when I do wait (patience is not my strong suit), I often find myself frustrated at the silence or the delay.  I lose faith and fall into despair. (God must have forgotten me! Waaahhh!) But I shouldn't.  I should hold firmly onto His promise that: "He did [will do] for her [me] as He had promised ... at the set time that God had stated". 

I will have my sunset ... when conditions are favorable.

Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 (or Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14)

1 The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield; I will make your reward very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what good will your gifts be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the steward of my house, Eliezer?” 3 Abram continued, “See, you have given me no offspring, and so one of my servants will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your own issue shall be your heir.” 5 The Lord took Abram outside and said: “Look up at the sky and count the stars, if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants be.” 6 Abram put his faith in the Lord, who credited it to him as an act of righteousness. 21:1 The Lord took note of Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. 3 Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom Sarah bore him.