Waiting for My Friend

Sometimes I wonder what God is waiting for. How much worse is it going to get before Jesus returns and makes it all right? Very often when people learn what we do for a living they mock us or ostracize us. Those who don't are usually not shy about warning us not to "preach" to them. When we do have occasion to sit down with people to share what the Bible says, they are almost always impressed but don't necessarily respond well. So I wonder why - if nobody cares anyway - hasn't He returned.

I recently read through five chapters of Mark with seven women - six after one dropped out. The mother of one lady came from England for a visit and sat in during the last two sessions, making it seven again. We got to the part where Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" so I asked the girls the same question. My friend Hayley wasn't the most outspoken in the group but she made it clear that she believed in Jesus' claim to be the Messiah. Later that week she came to me and told me that, not only did she want to be baptized, but her mother did also. Her mother Wendy has been a Christian for over thirty years but never knew the importance of baptism.

Here's Hayley being baptized:

And her mother Wendy:

And here I am with my two new sisters:

This morning I can confidently say that God was waiting for my friend and her mother. I have a new-found patience and a stronger trust in His perfect plan. I am also asking Him to continue to send to us those who are ready to hear what wonderful things He has done for us and care enough to respond in love, just like my friend Hayley and her mother Wendy did last night.