Memorial Box Monday: Patience

A couple weeks ago, I shared the remarkable story of God's provision in a Chinese airport. Perhaps most incredible is that I trusted God. Completely. Yes, I felt panicky, but I knew God would work. He amazed me with His instantaneous provision.

Today's memory comes from that same day. We enjoyed our flight in first class, the food served on real plates, all the beverages we could drink, and the comfortable leather chairs. We arrived safely in Beijing, gathered our luggage and headed to the hotel we would call home for three days. The kids and Rob swam in the indoor pool, enjoying a little downtime. I snapped photos. Then bedtime came.

Most hotel rooms in China, as in much of Europe, are too small to accommodate four guests. Because of that, we requested adjoining rooms. While our rooms adjoined one another, they were not connected. My sons were far too young to sleep in their own hotel room anywhere, so Rob bunked with one and I bunked with the other. We said our good-nights and went our separate ways.

Turning off the lights, I settled into bed and my young son snuggled in beside me. I couldn't sleep. My heart pounded. I tossed and turned. My chest tightened to the point I could barely breathe. Panicked, I called my husband in the next room and told him to come right away.

He woke Nathan, the world's soundest sleeper, and came over. He settled Nathan into the unused rollaway, and crawled into the crowded bed beside me. He held me and I cried. And cried.

For the remainder of our time in Beijing, my kids shared a twin rollaway and my husband stayed close beside me through each night.

You may wonder where is God in this? Isn't Memorial Box Monday about God's provision?

Obviously, I wasn't a shining example of trust in God that night. Twelve hours earlier, God had rescued me from an impossible situation and there I was, blubbering, whining, panicking because my husband was sleeping on the other side of a wall.

God, though, never changed. He was there in that Beijing hotel room, waiting patiently for me to ask for comfort and peace (which I never did), just as I had boldly asked for provision at the airport. I was the problem, not Him.

I could beat myself up about it, but God understands. I was no different than the Israelites. How often did God provide for them: manna, parting the Red Sea, and more. Yet, they whined. They forgot. They took their eyes off Him and got self-righteous. They even considered slavery in Egypt better than freedom in the desert!

Today, I am thankful for a God of infinite patience. That's what this little episode in my life always reminds me of. He waited patiently. When I get too self-focused, taking my eyes off God, this life lesson creeps into my head to remind me to trust Him again. Even in our weakness, God is made strong.

I took a picture of my boys sleeping in that tiny rollaway. I am placing that photo in my Memorial Box to remind me that God waits. Patiently.

Memorial Box Monday started at "A Place Called Simplicity." A friend of mine introduced me to it last week, and I love it! love it! love it!!! Memorial Box Monday provides an opportunity to remember all the good things God has done. Huge, gigantic things and little things that might seem insignificant. God's word is clear: "Cast every care on Me, for I care for you." (1 Peter 5:7).