Timing

Few things in life are more annoying than being told “It just wasn’t the right timing, but when the timing is right everything will work out…” Any variation of that statement causes a cringe-like response in my otherwise decent posture… Because Ugh…  Just Ugh…

Timing. Frickin’ timing. Something we have absolutely no control over, but something that controls us absolutely.

Now don’t get me wrong, the infuriating sentence above is certainly sage advice and probably emits from a completely sincere, good hearted source (Like your friend “Emily” or “Suzy” who is uncannily optimistic and effervescent 100% of the time and who consistently wears pastels brighter than Easter eggs- You know who I mean) … I just wish the need for these statements to be spoken to me was a little less frequent.

The problem is, my mind has a superb talent of finding a way to warp these good hearted words of encouragement into curses of utter despair (Because Emily and Suzy also happen to lead perfect lives with butterflies that flutter around their faces- So what do they know about timing?). At this time I find myself reverting to my inner childlike tantrum state of exclaiming, “BUT IT’S NOT FAIR!”

And that inner child, while certainly belligerent and hysterical, is not wrong. Timing sometimes is just NOT FAIR. So what do I do? Do I handle bad timing like a mature adult with grace, patience, and understanding?

Eh… Sometimes.

But if we’re being honest about this (which I think is the point of this blog), more often than not, I complain. Then I feel discouraged and upset, and then I probably complain some more because Oh Holy Night, timing sometimes blows…

But… Okay, but then again… timing doesn’t always blow… Does it? Hmm…

Because there was that time I was running late to class and found $20 in the parking lot… Or that other time when I drove to my sister’s house and walked in the door to witness my niece take her first step… Or when I rented a car from Thrifty and it happened to be their company anniversary so I won a free Ipod shuffle… Ha! Or that time in Europe when I decided to… Umh, actually, let’s skip that story, you get the point.

Timing can also be hilarious, inspiring, heartfelt, loving, breathtaking, genuine, and wonderful.

So… What have I learned about timing? Simply that it is not worth my time or energy to try to alter or control. And let me tell you, for something so not possible, it’s ridiculous how much time I’ve spent on it.

And with that knowledge, I am slowly (oh so slowly) learning to let go of the tightly grasped life I planned for me to embrace the amazing life God desperately desires to give me…  All in His perfect timing.