#Robots

In the ten years we spent cleaning the bank branch, the job became routine most of the time. The contract listed chores that had to be done every night. Unless there was lots of snow which left so much ice-melt on the floors or heavy rains that left muddy foot prints all over, we were able to work with our minds planning tomorrow or thinking about family far away. There were times when my son would say in a halting way, "I-am-a-robot." Our hands were working as if programmed, moving from one task to the next.

There are times in our life when being a robot is the best way to survive. We can put one foot ahead of the other and just keep moving without giving too much thought to the next step. Sometimes we have to do that.

When you realize how much time is spent just waiting, waiting at the stop-and-go lights, waiting for the toaster to pop-up, waiting for a loved one to get home, you realize that twiddling your thumbs is not the answer to accomplishing anything. You can do other stuff while you wait. You can pray while sitting in the car. You can wash the few dishes in the sink while waiting on the toast. You can read that article you didn't have time for as you wait for headlights. You can kill two birds with one stone.

You are in good company in the waiting room. Joseph waited thirteen years in prison on a false rape charge before he was promoted to second in command of Egypt. He gained a good reputation while in jail by taking care of details, a daily to-do list that impressed his jailer. Moses wound up in the wilderness after running from Pharaoh and tended sheep for forty years until God gave him a big to-do list. The disciples waited in the upper room for up to fifty days before the promised comforter came.

Even God waits. He waited until the right time to send His Son, Jesus, into the world. He waits for you and me to come to our senses and realize our need. He waits for the last one to take Jesus as their Savior before He sends judgment on the whole world.

We may have answers to prayers that we are waiting on. Be the best robot you can be, one step and another step in the day to day life and keep waiting on God. Don't give up on God. God hasn't given up on you! Joseph entered prison as a teenager and left those bars behind as a man, prepared. Moses grew up in a palace and was humbled tending sheep for forty years, prepared to lead millions of people out of slavery. God is working on you and you will be prepared when the answers come.