It was 5 am, Indian standard time. I started the ignition of my car at the break of dawn. I was on an important mission – to fetch a cup of ‘tea’ for my son who was preparing for his final exams. His favorite hang-out is called ‘Karripatti Kappi (Coffee)’, though ironically he likes the ‘tea’ there.  I noticed in my recent visit from USA, a new chain of coffee shops had propped up all over our hometown, like the local ‘Star bucks’, in Chennai, India, I have become a regular customer and somewhat a friend, to this bright and cheerful “Chai Wala” ( “Tea Master”, they call him locally) since the start of this month of exams. Surprisingly, today when I pulled up my car in front of the shop I noticed it wasn’t crowded as usual.  I ordered a take away  of 2 cups of tea as usual and waited.  Soon there were other men ordering their morning wake up drink, lighting their cigarettes as they waited, soaking up the early morning sunlight.  I soon realized that the ‘Tea Master’ was serving all the other customers who came after me, as I silently sulked in a corner. I started getting impatient as beads of sweat started appearing on my brows as the morning rays warmed my face and the smoke around was beginning to choke my airway. Losing my patience, I walked up to the Tea Master and asked, managing not to sound too upset,  “Why is the delay?”  He quietly smiled and said, “I put a fresh pot of decoction for you as soon as you came in and it is brewing”.  “Ah!” I said nodding on the outside, managing a smile but on the inside I cringed that I didn’t trust him a little longer as he was preparing ‘the best, freshly brewed’, hot cup of tea especially for me!

Sometimes it is the same with our ‘Master’, the Lord when we go to him with prayer requests.  We have submitted our petitions and prayed long and hard and it seems like ages and we haven;t heard back from Him. We lose our patience when it doesn’t happen on our timetable. It is even more frustrating when we see the “not so worthy” people’s prayers being answered in the meantime!  The Bible verse I read earlier today exactly coincided with today’s incident. “But they do not know the Lord’s thoughts or understand his plan” (Micah 4:12). Coincidently, today’s date is 4/12, I realize.  Perhaps this is a special message from the Lord today  for each of us.  He  wants us  to know that He is planning good things for us in the future.   Wait patiently until He brews the best for you!

(Update: Incidentally I got an urge from the Lord to post this blog that I wrote almost 2 years ago just yesterday (4-12-2024) but I delayed it thinking that I had just put a blog not too long ago and did not to overwhelm my audience. I was again reminded today about posting this blog during my devotional time. Only as I re-read the blog, I realized it would have been perfect if I had posted it yesterday since it was 4-12-2024, the exact day I wrote this blog in 2022, if not for my lack of instant obedience. All of time is in His hands. And His timing is perfect and the best for you and me! We got to trust His timing…. patiently.)

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

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