A friend and I planned to meet for dinner. I arrived at the restaurant a few minutes early and sat on a bench in the lobby. Different people arrived, but my friend did not. I had looked forward to connecting with her again. I noted our meeting time and place in my planner. We had a lot of life to catch up on, and these visits had proven beneficial in solidifying a stronger relationship between us. I checked my phone at 6:34, 6:41, and then 6:52. No message. No friend. My phone call went straight to her voicemail. I left at 7:05, feeling disappointed and rejected. I had been stood up. 

The Disappointment

Those feelings lingered for a few months, then resurfaced when a mentor shared a breakthrough thought she had about early morning meetups with God. “I can’t stay in bed because He is waiting for me.” Her words made me visualize God seated at the end of my dining room table each morning, waiting for me. I held good intentions for us to spend time together—wanted us to share a special closeness—but also had a glorious nine-minute snooze alarm.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

~James 4:8 NIV

Then, I envisioned God sitting at my table alone, tapping His fingers, checking His watch, and frowning when he heard my snooze alarm sound again.

The Comfort

How many times have we left God waiting? He came to meet with us. We promised to show up, knowing the strength of our relationship depended on doing so. Instead, we stood up the God of the universe. Sometimes we leave Him waiting every day for a week, or for years. We left Him disappointed that our time together did not happen. We’ve rejected God with flimsy excuses. God waits to delight in us, calm us, and rejoice over us. 

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.

~Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

If we asked parents and grandparents what they want most for their birthdays or Christmas, most might say time with their kids. God, our Father, is no different. Let’s not disappoint Father God with our constant rejection. Rather, let’s carve out quality time with Him and protect it with all that is within us.

Don’t use excuses for leaving God waiting to spend time with you.

Dear Heavenly Father, I love you. I do. I ask You to forgive me for all those times I didn’t make time with You a higher priority. Draw close to me, Father, as I promise to draw closer to You each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Nonfiction

Copyright 2025: Stood Up: Cynthia Mendenhall: All Rights Reserved.