Thursday, May 1

Waiting Requires Work

I always thought that waiting was a time of inactivity. After many periods of waiting at different times in my life, I have a different viewpoint.

Waiting Requires Hard Work!

Stacy and Ryan have been busy moving into temporary housing where they will wait until they find a new home. That means a double move.

Packing, Unpacking, Packing again, Unpacking again

Cleaning, Cleaning, Cleaning

They have to be mindful of what they need to use for a few months so it doesn't get buried in the POD and they have to be very thrifty in what they can get along without so they aren't crowded out of their temporary housing.

There are adjustments to be made. New laundry facility...less than adequate. No secure storage for their bikes. Someone else's bathroom...enough said.

The list goes on, it is part of the waiting period for Ryan and Stacy. It takes mental, emotional, relational and physical work, it is all part of the commitment.

As I wiped out the temporary refrigerator yesterday, I thought of the verse in Matt 7.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you..."
(vs 7). I heard a pastor talk on this verse and he taught that the words, ask, seek and find were in the present tense in the Greek language. I don't pretend to be a scholar here, but his teaching has stuck with me. He said this verse implied 'work' in prayer. We are to KEEP asking, KEEP seeking and KEEP knocking as we talk with God. It is an on-going task.

As Stacy and Ryan wait in interim living, they are KEEPING ON in their enthusiasm for life. Their sense of humor and love for one another is ever present as they meet the next challenge with an attitude that they will work through this period of waiting and move on to where they really want to be .

For now, making chocolate chip cookies for the hired help, visiting their kitty who is also 'holed' up for a time and discovering new restaurants in their new neighborhood is giving them new appreciation for the small stuff.

I am encouraged as I observe their quiet acceptance of this waiting time. I am learning again the lesson of KEEPING ON...in waiting and in prayer.

Waiting requires work.

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