"Expect Delays"

We took a drive up to the mountains this weekend to escape the 100+ degree weather. The roads leading there are basically being redone and it will be wonderful once they are finished....if I am still alive by then. On the way home, there were signs along the highway - obvious signs of road construction. But the one that got my attention was the one that said "Expect Delays". Here it was, in big bold letters on an orange sign telling me to prepare myself. I wondered the point of this sign - was it so anyone who wasn't ready to sit in traffic could find another way? Or was there another reason? I had this mental image in my mind of people sitting in long hours of traffic and yelling out their window at the construction workers because of it, and then the men working yelling back -"no, no, no, we told you back about a mile to expect this....don't be yelling at us". It struck me as funny then, but as we drove I noticed that I was "expecting delays". I was waiting for that traffic jam around the next bend. It didn't cause me to be anxious - quite the opposite. I was better prepared for it. The delays didn't happen; thankfully we left at a good time. But I kept wondering how wonderful it would be if I would "expect delays" in other areas of my life. I know my patience level would be much higher. I need an "expect delays" sign as we start to leave the house....to go anywhere.....any time of day. Expect that my 3 year old will have to go to the bathroom; expect that my 7 year old won't be able to find his shoes. What about an "expect delays" sign anytime we eat? Someone always has to go to the bathroom the minute the food arrives (and why is that really!?) I also should "expect delays" in answers to prayer at times. It's not about my timing, it's about His. I want it now, I want to know the answer now. The flip side of that is to "Expect God". Expect that He is coming; expect that the answer is just right around the corner; expect that the blessing is just up over the hill. Expectancy can be a true gift, if you are expecting the best from a loving God.