Weight (n)  quantity of mass; heaviness, pressure.

Wait (v)  pause, hold fast, delay action.

Two new words have come up in today’s Word Well Wednesday– weight and wait.  What do you visualize upon hearing those words? I would venture to guess many women may feel the same as I do when hearing weight.  Instantly, I think of the doctor’s office or a scale, neither of which I am fond of!  When I hear wait, I feel like I am going to have to be patient and hold in anticipation of an action that may be on pause.

Weight brings to mind heaviness, pressure or intensity.  The weight of a matter definitely indicates seriousness.  The weight of an item is harmless unless you’re asking me to step on the scale.  I’ve always felt bigger than those around me which is ironic when I look back at family photos and see my skinny, lanky body.  Then I turned 12 and suddenly I was a 5’8” big-boned young lady and I’ve never looked back.  I’ve always been bigger than life.  At an early age, Mom enrolled me in ballet.  I originally thought it was because I loved the music – now, I have come to the realization, she was trying to teach me grace and how to coordinate the gangly awkwardness that seemed to happen overnight.  Weight – not a friend to those of us who have compared themselves to the beauties gracing magazines.  Ironically, we put too much weight on appearance rather than embracing the perfect humans we were made to be.  We were created in God’s image.  You can’t get more perfect than that role model!

Wait!  Stop!  This other word indicates a pause – whether a quick screeching stop or a slow roll, of ‘wait for it’, there is still a suspension of motion.  I’m not sure about you, but I definitely don’t do ‘wait’ well!  As Newton’s first law of motion indicates, an object in motion will remain in motion at a constant speed and in a straight line unless acted upon.  When we are moving in one direction, focusing on one goal, our tendency is tunnel vision.  We’re rolling along without awareness of what is happening on the sidelines.  When we allow God to take control of the progression, our perspective becomes wider, we see the perimeters, we become more aware of the spiritual indicators telling us to wait or to change direction.  Although waiting is difficult, I have come to realize that the pause involves growth.  I’m not ready for what is coming.  The breather means more time in prayer allowing more time to increase my faith.  Preparation for what lies ahead is the best reason for waiting.

Where do you find yourself today?  Are you burdened by the weight of decisions, responsibilities or life in general?  Are you being bombarded by a daily barrage of uncertainty?  Rather than plowing ahead blindly, is it time to wait?  Not sure how to pause the chaotic momentum?  The weight of our burdens is not meant to be carried alone. Our faith walk can start or be renewed with four simple words – Lord, I need you.  Is it time for a reset?