(How well our heavenly Father teaches us this
truth as we experience the trials of this life.
The original article with this title (below) was written while we were waiting for Jerry’s healing after the amputation of his leg (2006).
(It took 4 1/2 years and a third surgery before we had any hope of his using a prosthesis with even a walker.
~~~~~~~~~~
October 24, 2007
Today is exactly a year since Jerry’s amputation. He has been three weeks in rehab, wearing the prosthesis a couple of hours a day, more just for sitting and getting used to it, a few minutes of exercise to put weight on it, and a few minutes walking on it with a walker. Because of soreness he has not worn it the last two days. Monday the prosthetist put in a small pad to help buffer the sore area. It was feeling better, so he wore the prosthesis for about forty-five minutes this afternoon. When he took it off, his leg was bleeding. We have to wait again for healing before he can try the prosthesis again.
Sixty-eight years takes its toll on those who have not learned how to wait. By this time most think that they have arrived at the point of having all things under their control, getting things done when they want them done, settling down to the golden years, and being happy in all their progress.
This is not our case, but we can attest to something better.
How do you explain to those who are impatient that waiting is good for God’s people? Whether it is for a response to a letter, the arrival of a guest, a special event, for our children to grow up, or healing, the process of waiting is a part of life. True waiting is the essence of hope, and a means to the end of obtaining contentment in this life as we wait for glory.
Waiting is a natural trait for God, but not for man. Impatience was born in the Garden of Eden, and plays itself out in every person’s life, from the time of birth until death; except as we are given new hearts that know how to wait. We learn from experiences that as we wait we receive blessings we did not expect.
Why do we not want a baby to be born before its full term? It will not be fully developed, or, not live at all. Why do we not get a diploma until we have finished the required courses? Why do we not marry at the age of eight? Why do we not eat green bananas? Waiting is not only necessary for life, but, the means to attaining true life. It is not something we play at, or think about when we want to. It is not a game, but a reality, that when practiced enough will become the beauty of life, without wanting to be the winner.
Waiting is serious business, in the same family as endurance, the big brother of patience.
Waiting is the will of God for us, and serves His purposes. “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews 10:36)
Waiting gives Him time to accomplish His work in us to His glory. God waits for the precious fruit of His husbandry, and so must we. (James 5:17)
Hope, and quietly waiting for the salvation of the Lord is synonymous with patience, the characteristic of the saints mentioned in the Book of Revelation. (13:10, 14:12)
“I had fainted, unless I had believed
to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen thine heart;
wait, I say, on the LORD.
Psalm 27:13-14
Waiting strengthens our faith, letting patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4)
I praise the Father for teaching me to wait. It comes more naturally now. He is waiting with us, teaching us, loving us through it all. I thank Him for all of you who have waited with us. I pray for more patience, more strength, more faith, more grace for us all—for His glory and our joy.
“The LORD is good to them that wait for Him.” (Lamentations 3:25)
Fran 10/07
(Excerpt from In Prayer and In Touch~ Articles and Stories of Faith)
Music: Wait on the Lord Psalm 27:14
They That Wait Upon the Lord Isaiah 40:31