The Wait
By Jen Wollner
“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”
Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)
An eight-year-old boy, abandoned by his mother, lives in an orphanage in Eastern Europe with his nine-year-old sister. His dark brown eyes sparkle with life. He desires to help people and dreams of one day becoming a policeman. He hopes for a family, though it’s an unlikely prospect. Children of his age, with an older sister in tow, are rarely chosen by an adopting family. But, God has a plan…
A young couple in America, full of life and love, desires to have children. Tears flow as they say good-bye to a baby they never got to hold in their arms. Their dream for a family burns strong in their hearts, but after many years of marriage, they still don’t see an answer to their prayers. They wonder if it’s just simply not meant to be. But, God has a plan…
As the children wait in the orphanage, God is working...
As the couple waits in their quiet home, God is working...
Waiting is difficult. Oftentimes, excruciating. I believe it’s so frustrating partially because we feel as though nothing is happening. God isn’t hearing us, much less answering. When we go through long periods of waiting, we often don’t see any movement in our situation…and we begin to lose hope.
But, dear friends, take heart! God has not forgotten you! He is here. He hears all of your prayers and collects all of your tears. And, He is working. Nothing is impossible for Him! Not rescuing two children from an orphanage and placing them with loving parents half a world away. And certainly not bringing joy and life to a home once plagued by infertility and disappointment.
You may not see it yet, but one day, His plan will unfold before your eyes. It may not look like you thought it would. The timing may be off. The answer may be very different than you imagined or desired. God may say to you, "Not this...but this instead." But, as you seek Him and surrender to His will, you will step out of the wilderness, the waiting, into the glorious promised land divinely designed for you.
God has a plan. Rest assured, He is working.
GOING DEEPER:
1. What desire of your heart are you waiting to come to fruition? Take heart in the truth of God’s Word and character!
FURTHER READING:
Psalm 5:1-3; Psalm 40; Romans 8:28
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of eight and four. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.
