Waiting Can Seem Unbearable

Waiting is one of those horrible yet wonderful aspects of life. So much is learned along the way. While I wait for God to answer prayer, I can become anxious, worrisome and fearful. But I can also develop patience, perseverance, and dependence on my Lord. I wonder which is a better outcome?

While I wait, I can choose joy.

While I wait, I can serve Christ.

While I wait, I look around to those hurting and choose to show mercy.

While I wait, I get on my knees and continue to seek the throne of grace.

While I wait, I trust.

These are things I strive for as I wait. I pray you will too.

 

Waiting...Patiently

No letter yet. Every day I hope to see one with a return address from Missouri. None yet.


The ball's in his court. Since there's no letter, there are no phone calls either.


Waiting. That's one of the hardest things in life. And yet, as I have thought about this period of time in our lives, and the reason behind it, my thoughts go to my Heavenly Father. My son is angry, so he has breached our relationship. In the past couple of weeks, the thought has crossed my mind, "I think I'm angry." And then, "I'm not angry." So, I think I am angry.


And in many ways, I have breached my relationship to my Heavenly Father. My desires wane for His Word. I struggle to pour out my heart to Him. After all, He is allowing this. There are some days, I can't speak to Him for fear of embarrassment. You know, like after you've had a conflict with someone and see them for the first time knowing you were wrong.


I tell myself, "This is so silly." And yet, I go round and round in this battle.


My Heavenly Father is in the waiting game too. He gently nudges me and woos me and even chastens me. I know He loves me and wants to hear my heart's cry.


The ball's in my court. I pick up His Word and fall on my knees. Today is a new day. Tomorrow I might be back a couple of steps, but I pray I make daily forward steps.

Waiting and Praying

How Long, O Lord?

This was a question posed to the Lord by the man who penned Psalm 119.

This is a question that has been uttered by my own mouth many times over the last year.

Psalm 119:81-88

81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.

82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, "When will you comfort me?"

83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.

84 How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?

85 The arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
contrary to your law.

86 All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for men persecute me without cause.

87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 Preserve my life according to your love,
and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

Then the next stanza he proclaims victory:

89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.

91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.

92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.

94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.

95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.

96 To all perfection I see a limit;
but your commands are boundless.

The writer proclaims his understanding of the importance of the Word of God. This is what brought him joy, comfort and peace in the midst of trial.

Lord, my heart fails. Revive me according to your Word. Your word is the truth that brings my emotions in check. Guard my thoughts as I long for the day of reconciliation with my big-little man.

Waiting, Waiting and Still Waiting

Waiting is not an easy thing. We live in a culture where everything is packaged, marketed and sold with convenience as the priority. As I was praying this morning, my mind went to the parable that Jesus told in Scripture of the persistent friend. I think praying and waiting for an answer is one of the hardest "waits" out there. And what a consolation to know that my Heavenly Father doesn't grow weary of hearing the same petitions. Lately, I have felt like that persistent friend. Knocking...knocking...knocking...but, Oh, what joy, that my God wants me to keep asking. He is not the sort that hears the knocking over and over again and acts out impatiently. He is actually glorified and acts in anticipation over my requests. As I write this, my sweet little 3 1/2 year old stands outside our front door hitting the door bell over and over again. And what is my response? Usually, a sigh or grunt of some kind. The next time she gets her joy from this "nonsense", may it stir my heart to open the door in kindness.

Thank you Lord for your patience and perfect timing in answering my requests. Please help me to not give up and give me perseverence to continue the knocking.

P.S. Unbelievably, as I was finishing this post, the mail came. In the mail, my parents sent me a CD by John Waller called, While I'm waiting. In the card attached, they wrote, "Keep waiting, keep serving...." This is just incredible.... Here is the title song.

I love you Dad and Mom.