“The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. … While you are waiting for the things (promised) to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in His sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved (salvaged).” 2Peter3:9,14,15 (Don’t short-circuit what God is trying to do.)
I have a young grandson who is very ambitious and exceptionally capable of doing whatever he puts his mind to. At the age of 8 he is learning to drive tractors. So, we are starting with riding lawnmowers and working our way up through the garden tractor, small farm tractor with all the attachments, the Bobcat skidstear, the large farm tractor, the backhoe, and the dump truck …… He knows the progression levels and can hardly wait to get on the next one in line, which for him is the small farm tractor.. There are daily repeated requests to try operating the farm tractor. As his trainer it is very fulfilling for me to see his enthusiasm and skilled accomplishments. I also see all the needed practice time and the dangers from a lack of maturity and experience. For him, it is just frustration that he isn’t already on the backhoe.
So, am I being slow and uncaring in not granting his repeated requests to get on any piece of equipment he wants to try today? …… No ….. as a wise grandparent, I am giving him the desires of his heart when it is the proper time and he is able to handle it productively and safely. He, being a child, does not have the capability of seeing all that is required for progression to safely take place. For him, a month is forever, and a year is like eternity. He could attempt to get on the backhoe and wreck havoc on the ranch. Instead he needs to mature and become an adult where he can patiently wait for the proper timing and become capable of learning all the skills needed for each tractor, and to be able to make wise choices and decisions when difficulties arise.
On the ranch, I will always be with him to help him mature, learn the skills, and to guide him through all the learning and maturing processes. Failures, some dented fenders, and destroyed fences and fence posts will all be a part of the process.