When Waiting Becomes Wisdom

I don’t know about you, but I have a shopping habit. No, I don’t buy everything my heart desires

or spend beyond my means. My habit is that when I’m shopping, I make selections, carry them

around the store and rarely ever complete the purchase. Why? One reason is that my mother

taught me to shop this way. “Just carry that around for a while and see if you still want it by the

time we are ready to leave” she would say. What wise advice! Usually, the item has lost it’s

appeal in less than 30 minutes. Another reason…I don’t want the item bad enough to wait in

line to purchase it. I once told an employee at Hobby Lobby that I have put back on the shelves

more items than I have actually purchased because I simply was unwilling to wait in line any

longer.

I’m very thankful for my mother’s wise advice and thankful as well that long lines keep me from

making spontaneous purchases. As I write this, I can’t recall a single item that I have regretted

not buying, but there are quite a few that have made me wonder what I was thinking (or not

thinking).

Making decisions hastily or impulsively is rarely in our best interest. A small item purchased

quickly is probably not going to affect our life much, but there are plenty of other things done in

haste that can. Do we say things without thinking? Are decisions made regarding jobs and

family without consideration of the impact they will have? Are we committing our time without

counting the cost? Are we involving ourselves in activities that have no place in the life of a

follower of Christ?

What does God’s word say about hastiness?

“Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”

Proverbs 29:20 NKJV

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to

poverty.”

Proverbs 21:5 NKJV

“He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.”

Proverbs 14:29 NKJV

There is no decision in our life that is too small to take to God; not even those that seem small

or insignificant. Whether they be plans, words or purchases, take them to God. Carry them

around while you wait on His answer. You won’t regret it!