The Wait
Another Day Along the Way
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Another day,
I thought the snow would come our way again. The forecast said so. The clouds confirmed it. News reports let me see it through the screen with my own eyes. Snow was white, falling, nearby, and coming our way. Saturday would be a day filled with flakes.
But they never came. They were close. Just not close enough. I kept looking and hoping and waiting. The snow never came all the way to us.
Isn't that how life seems to go sometimes? Others have it - whatever the "it" we desire might be. We've been told it will come our way. We crave it, dream of it, wait for it. The "it," though, never arrives.
As we think of seeing what hasn't arrived, we wonder whether to continue waiting, to keep our hopes up, or just give up and move on. From white flakes forty miles away to jobs we requested one day too late or money we needed one week ago or a prayer we thought would be answered two years before. Or two decades. Or ever.
We wait and watch and request. We hope and wish and desire. Often, we give up.
Why not give this a try? Let's keep hoping but stay busy while waiting. Let's realize winter is still here and a few more flakes just might come. Let's give thanks to the few flakes which fell our way before. Let's thank God for what has arrived: rain we needed, no snow for those who did not want it, and good days of peace and joy for many. Let's look at the big picture and give thanks to the Snow Maker. In other of life's events, let's appreciate more and complain less. Let's give thanks.
Even if He doesn't send it our way. Or, whenever and however He does send it. Let's give Him thanks.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: These are our few live seasons. Let us live them as purely as we can, in the present.
(Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Another day,
I thought the snow would come our way again. The forecast said so. The clouds confirmed it. News reports let me see it through the screen with my own eyes. Snow was white, falling, nearby, and coming our way. Saturday would be a day filled with flakes.
But they never came. They were close. Just not close enough. I kept looking and hoping and waiting. The snow never came all the way to us.
Isn't that how life seems to go sometimes? Others have it - whatever the "it" we desire might be. We've been told it will come our way. We crave it, dream of it, wait for it. The "it," though, never arrives.
As we think of seeing what hasn't arrived, we wonder whether to continue waiting, to keep our hopes up, or just give up and move on. From white flakes forty miles away to jobs we requested one day too late or money we needed one week ago or a prayer we thought would be answered two years before. Or two decades. Or ever.
We wait and watch and request. We hope and wish and desire. Often, we give up.
Why not give this a try? Let's keep hoping but stay busy while waiting. Let's realize winter is still here and a few more flakes just might come. Let's give thanks to the few flakes which fell our way before. Let's thank God for what has arrived: rain we needed, no snow for those who did not want it, and good days of peace and joy for many. Let's look at the big picture and give thanks to the Snow Maker. In other of life's events, let's appreciate more and complain less. Let's give thanks.
Even if He doesn't send it our way. Or, whenever and however He does send it. Let's give Him thanks.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: These are our few live seasons. Let us live them as purely as we can, in the present.
(Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek)
11 Comments:
I have a friend who says, “You can be comfortable and happy, or happy and growing, but you can NEVER be comfortable AND growing.” When I am disappointed by deep desire, that is when God brings amazing things out of me, creative things and so many gifts.
yeah, i was a little disappointed in the lack of frozen precip...but the Lord is good, and i am learning to love Him despite the "grass is always greener" thinking...
Right on! Good one.
That is just what I needed right now. Things have been sort of tough for me. I just watched a little football and then read this. My team lost. Who are you pulling for in the Super Bowl?
Praise to the snowmaker! Praise to the rainmaker! Praise to our God Who knows what's best for us all the time! Waiting is never easy, but oh the work that gets done in us in the meantime. I praise Him for His impeccable timing in everything! Great word, Chris!
s.a.
It's amazing how we are always so concerned about things that we are waiting for, when really we should be thinking of what God is wanting and waiting for us to do. After all, Jesus has been waiting to return for His bride for a long time now. Just a thought...
S.A.
i agree. and maybe (just maybe) IF we choose "complaining less" as a lifestyle, we would develop the skill of "appreciating more."
So true. Few things are sadder than a life wasted waiting instead of living.
Today, let us also thank leaders like Martin Luther King Jr for setting examples of non-violent rebellion. He found that balance of objecting the status quo but not attacking those who attacked him.
Free at last, free at last. I remember you preaching to us about that. Heavn't heard you in a long time CMax. Thanks for the notes.
A wonderful message at the right time! God bless you!
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