Waiting. . . . not easy!

We have a loved one who dropped out of our lives a few years ago. It grieved us and even though the Lord didn’t reveal any wrong doing on our part, it has been a troubling rift. Without knowing any details, it seems this was a decision for personal reasons and involved other people too. So we pray and wait.

Last night I dreamt about this person and woke up with tears on my pillow. Thoughts included taking initiative but everything I could think of that I could do seemed more like manipulation than seeking restoration. So I prayed again and asked God what I should do, if anything. As soon as I opened my Bible software, this popped up:

So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God. (Hosea 12:6)

Basically, He is telling me to stick with it, trust Him and don’t stop loving this person. Justice means doing what is right, giving up what I want (my own peace of mind) and trust God to do what He wants done, both in my life and that person’s life. I don’t know the whole story, only my emotional reactions — and they are not a reliable guidance.

The Bible has many instructions to wait. Most of them challenge my impatience. I want it now, like a kid looking at the cookie jar, or worse, like a person in pain who wants the pain to go away. Still, the Word says:

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord! (Psalm 31:24)
Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20)
I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1)
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. (Psalm 62:1)

God’s timing is always perfect, even if mine is ‘now’ and I am suffering in the waiting. It is no coincidence that this “Verse of the Day” popped up on the right day in answer to the prayer I said only a few minutes before. 

PRAY: Last night someone notified me that I was missed in the text messages about a meeting that is today. She noticed and sent the information to me so I would not miss it. That is You at work, taking care of me. In the afternoon, I was working on a project and made a mistake, or so I thought. It turned out to be the right thing. That is You at work too. Every day Your timing is right. As the OT prophet said, with Your help I can return to trusting You. I know it is not right to pressure people to do what I want. You will take care of that person, and me too. Enable me to hold fast and be patient as I wait for You.