Waiting and Strengthening
Her eyes sparkle with awe, wonder, joy. Suddenly her eyes moisten slightly as sadness darkens her countenance. Her eyes betray her inner struggle, but only briefly.
The joy returns as she bends to talk to my little man.
I recognize the emotion in her eyes. I have seen it before – in the mirror.
It is the joy, awe, wonder that a child, a young child exudes. It is the pure joy of watching an image-bearer begin to figure life out. Oh, but then the stab of reality, the pang of truth. I want what I haven’t been able to have. I want a brand-new image-bearer of my own.
It happened to me the other day. While eating at a restaurant with a friend, a precious infant was seated within reach of me. She had chubby rolls, dark hair, and huge bow atop her precious head. She smiled at me, over and over again. Precious, amazing, a gift – one I may never receive again.
My eyes mist. My heart longs, but somehow there is peace. As if God Himself bent low to wrap me in His arms. In His arms the waiting is somehow easier, pressed against His chest, wrapped in His arms, the love of a Father who holds our tears in a bottle, who is the God of all comfort. When I turn my hopes, plans, and dreams over to Him, as I lay my dreams down at His feet again, my mind is renewed, my heart is strengthened, and my soul is at rest.
As I cling to the foundation, the Precious Corner Stone, Jesus, as I wait on Him, I am strengthened. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength…” It is in the clinging and waiting that I am strengthened.
God asks us to wait to strengthen us for what is next, for what is now, and for what may never be. Isn’t He good to strengthen us?
What are you waiting on God for? Please share so we call be praying for each other!
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I’m still waiting on how exactly I’m supposed to become an English teacher. I’m following His hints, but I’m still far away from the end game…
Daniel, it is the waiting that is strengthening you…I get so anxious to be at the end, but it is the waiting that God is using to strengthen us. So I encourage you to wait on Him, step when He tells you to. I have a feeling you will have a GREAT God-sized story about how He got you to where you are.
Hi Angela,
As a writer, I’m ALWAYS waiting for something! LOL It’s the nature of the publishing industry. I’m still waiting to receive a contract on my book proposal, but like you, I wait in peace–in HIS arms.
And wow, Angela, I’m thrilled for all shout-out you gave to the Lord over at my blog. He is working in your life–in and through your writing. I’m SO happy for you, girl!
Thanks Julie!
Isn’t God good?
I will be praying with you about your book proposal.
I still haven’t heard back from the agent nor from the publisher who took my proposal at SheSpeaks last summer. SIGH! So I am waiting for lots of things too! 😉
I have been in the waiting room with my Lord for many years and waiting for many things. What I have learned is that I am not waiting on something, but I am waiting on my Lord. I am waiting for HIM, only Him. Once I realized this, I did gain new strength, new insight. I have the strength to wait now because I know the One in whom I wait is faithful.
Yes Becky. You are so right. We are waiting for Him. Whether I am waiting to for a miracle or for something to be published, I am really waiting for Him to move in His time in His way. It is keeping our eyes on Him that strengthens us in the waiting. Thank you so much!