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:
Jen and her husband
are busily parenting three teenagers. She serves Oakwood in various Children's
Ministry and Women's Ministry roles as needs arise.
