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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nAs I paced the backyard of a friend\u2019s house, I noted how loud the \u201chold\u201d music seemed. Annoying <\/em>was the word that came to mind. This is just<\/em> so annoying. <\/em>I waited 10 minutes, 15 minutes…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Putting it on speaker, I stuck the phone in my jeans while the hold music sang through my back pocket. I paced more, this time noting a few of the lovely features in this small, quaint backyard. Soaking in the afternoon sun, the hold music slightly dissipated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I returned to the screened-in porch, brought the phone closer to my ear, and the holding song crescendoed. I felt a sense of panic as my mind reeled with details due to the inconvenience of redirected plans. The music carried on with its redundant dancing tune which signified: you\u2019re still holding.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The waiting was incredibly annoying. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n After an hour, I debated silencing the tune but frustration gave way to stubbornness, and I kept the song ringing out while adjusting plans in order to stay an extra night. With no immediate responsibilities, my friends suggested we make our way to a local coffee shop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With one ear bud in, the music became mere background noise as we tasted the baker\u2019s famous chocolate-chip cookie and sipped warm, vanilla lattes. The cookie was heaven, and the company was even sweeter, unexpected, delightful. Every-once-in-a-while, the tune in my ear caught my attention and reminded me: you\u2019re still holding.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But the waiting seemed almost refreshing. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n These unplanned events momentarily forced the frenzy of life to be put to the side, and as I slowly drank the coffee, I also took in the stories of friends who allowed me to enter their world, their joys, their pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On a walk around a charming neighborhood, the tune returned to my back pocket, still determined to rectify the inconvenience. But even with our quick pace, the moments slowed, and the holding music quieted. Sharing my own life stories felt like a balm, and I found myself grateful for this redirection. And when the tune caught me off guard, it’s melody reminded me: you\u2019re still holding.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n But the waiting felt life-giving.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The holding song merely tip toed as we settled in for the evening in the comfort of gracious hospitality. A quiet night and a slowed pace kept the tune at bay until I could hardly hear the reminder. I finally relented and disconnected from the monotonous song after I heard one final, \u201cThank you for holding. We’re sorry for the wait\u2026\u201d <\/em>But I wasn\u2019t sorry. And as I settled in for a longer-than-usually night\u2019s sleep, my unexpected surroundings reminded me: you\u2019re still holding.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And I found myself grateful for the waiting.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The inconveniences in life are never mistakes; the annoying redirections are no surprise to our Creator. And if we allow ourselves to see them as such, the moments of waiting can be life-giving. It\u2019s even possible for the sway to the holding tune to evolve from a stiff, frustrated shuffle to a joy-filled dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you feeling the tension that builds from a season permeated with the holding tune? Patience is trusting in the Lord with whatever today may bring rather than looking ahead with frustration in order to get to tomorrow. It’s in the moments of today, planned or unplanned, that we can learn more about God, about His goodness, His kindness, His mercy, and His grace. Don’t miss God’s treasures in today’s unexpected circumstances: <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” <\/em>(Ps. 31:19). <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s all about perspective. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And for me, on this occasion, I was thankful for holding.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" My flight home was cancelled two hours before departure. Longing to be back at home, I called the airline within … <\/p>\n