“Kaitlyn! Wait up!” Darla’s shirt muffled her plea as she pulled it down over her head. She shook her short hair into place and grabbed her tote, halting at the mirror just long enough for one last check. She faked a smile and then groaned, Oh, I cannot wait to get these braces off! Her stomach growled, matching her mood. She was famished, but brushing her teeth every day after lunch was a dreaded ordeal.

Longing for Tomorrow
Darla and Kaitlyn inched past the counter with their trays. The lunch line was always long on turkey-and- mashed-potatoes day.

“Why didn’t you wait for me?” Darla asked, frowning.

Kaitlyn looked at her lifelong friend and sighed. With a zillion people around, she was not about to discuss her humiliation over being the only seventh-grade girl in their gym class who was not yet wearing a bra. Probably more like the only seventh-grade girl on the planet! She slid her tray forward and said, “Yes, please,” to Mrs. Billingsley who waited with a spoonful of cranberries and, “Sorry,” to Darla who was waiting for a response.

They made their way across the crowded lunchroom and took the last two seats at the table where Kaitlyn’s ninth-grade sister, Kara, sat with her friends.

“Hi, Katie. Hi, Darla.” Kara and the group stopped chatting just long enough to greet the two and then leaned toward each other and resumed their excited discussion.

Kaitlyn and Darla ate in silence. They were obviously not invited into the conversation. Besides, it was more intriguing to eavesdrop.

“Kara, I am sooo jealous of you. I can’t wait to have a boyfriend,” Lucy said with an envious giggle.

Kara must have been describing, in detail, her “date” with Rob the night before. If stopping at Applebee’s after youth group is a date. . . Kaitlyn thought.

“Well, I can’t wait for my first kiss!” Kara gushed.

Monica, also boyfriend-less, changed the subject: “I’m getting my driver’s permit next Tuesday!”

“Just think! A year from now, we’ll all be driving!” Lucy exclaimed. Monica moaned.

“Yeah, but this year is going to be sooo long. I cannot wait to get my license!”

“Know what else happens next year?” Lucy’s eyes sparkled. “Prom! We get to go to the prom! Ohhh, I can’t wait!”

Prom. Kaitlyn tried to imagine herself in a fancy gown. What on earth would she wear when the time came? Do they even make prom dresses for girls with flat chests?

She drank the last of her milk and pointed to the brownie on Darla’s tray?

“You gonna eat that?”

“No, go ahead. It takes too long to get the frosting out of my braces.”

With brownie in hand, Kaitlyn stood and picked up her tray. Darla was right behind her. They deposited their trays at the kitchen window then headed down the school corridor. At the corner, they turned opposite directions.

“See ya after class,” Kaitlyn said.

“Yeah, and this time, wait for me,” Darla responded.

Worth the Wait
Can you identify with any of these girls? Maybe what you’re waiting for is different, but whatever it is, it’s easy to fret when an event isn’t coming to pass soon enough.

Waiting can be a pain, but once that longed-for occasion has arrived and your heart’s desire is finally fulfilled, have you noticed the happiness doesn’t last? Pretty soon the I-can’t-wait region of our brains starts looking for something else to whine about . . . er . . . look forward to.

In one sense, that’s perfectly normal. Life is full of milestones. They start as soon as we’re born — our first smile, first tooth, first steps. Milestones mark our growth and development, and they build memories. Looking forward to something keeps us focused and provides direction for our lives.

Goals are great; we need them. But there’s a difference between having goals and being discontent. Sometimes the only difference is attitude. If we’re not careful, we can wish our lives away — always waiting and never content. That means we’re missing the joy of life’s journey; we’re missing today!

Ho-hum Days
OK, not every day seems thrilling. But every day must be important; after all, we get it only once! Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” If we’re not rejoicing about today, maybe we’re missing something in it. Here are a few things I’ve discovered about ho-hum days.

1. They’re a gift from our heavenly Father, and they’re absolutely necessary. They build patience in us. As fun as it isn’t, there’s only one way to learn patience: through encountering things for which we have to wait. Aren’t you thankful that God is patient with you?

2. God protects us from our impatience by giving us waiting days. They’re for our protection! What would happen if Darla got her braces removed when she wanted them off? Could Lucy concentrate on becoming a godly woman as easily if she had a boyfriend? Would Monica be safe on the road without knowing traffic laws and how a car operates? (Would others be safe?) What about Kara; will she be content after her first kiss?

3. Don’t waste those “off” days. They’re for preparation! Who wants to be caught off guard by having an important milestone arrive without being ready for it?

Like the prom, for example, which Lucy wants right now! Picture it: Her dream date arrives at the door. He’s wearing cut-offs because there was no time to rent a tux. He had no time to earn money, so there’s no corsage and they won’t be going out for dinner. Because she wasn’t prepared either, Lucy’s hair is a mess and she has no gown for the momentous occasion. Is she sure she can’t wait for the prom?

4. Provision. God has plans for you! Right now, He’s at work arranging circumstances that will bless you, but that takes time. Especially when it involves other people! Maybe the guy He has for you hasn’t met Christ yet. Or someone else is occupying your future job right now. God works behind the scenes making provision for our good. Don’t rush ahead of His plans!

5. Sometimes the only thing that makes a day seem boring is our perspective. It’s much easier to be discontent and impatient when we’re looking inward. Try changing your perspective, try looking outward. Ask the Lord, “How can I serve You today? Who needs my help?” Don’t miss today by looking in the wrong direction.

Girlfriend, today is not a boring day! It’s loaded with potential! Why not make your life count while on your way to that next anticipated milestone?

P.S. As for Kaitlyn, it may not be fun now, but when she’s older, she will be thrilled with the gift of youth that comes with being a late bloomer!