As We Wait

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In the words of Tom Petty, "The waiting is the hardest part." (from his song "The Waiting") Isn't that the truth? Whether you're waiting for something good or something bad, waiting is hard. Waiting can cause anxiety and frustration. 

This may sound morbid, but I've been waiting for my cat to pass all week. We have three cats; a brother and sister pair named Sable and Marvin, and a younger crazy girl named Cinnamon. Sable could not be officially diagnosed, without testing, but we are pretty sure she has cancer. We found out January 23rd and she has been slowly declining ever since. My heart breaks for her and I just want her to have peace, but I'm not ready to make that final decision yet.   

There is a situation with a family member and a conversation that will take place this weekend. Depending on this individual's decision, her life could be altered for the better or for the worse. We are waiting to see what she decides. Even if she makes the choice we all hope she will, we have been down this road before and have not seen (yet!) long term positive results so we will, once again, have to wait it out. 

There are countless other situations that I know friends and family are going through. While they wait for certain things to happen in order for their circumstances to change, it feels like everything is in limbo. What are we supposed to do while we wait?

In Genesis 29-31, we read about Jacob who agreed to work seven years for Laban in exchange for the opportunity to marry his daughter, Rachel. Instead, Laban gives his older daughter, Leah, in marriage to Jacob keeping with tradition of the eldest marrying first. Jacob worked seven more years to be able to marry Rachel, the daughter he loves. In Acts 16, we read about Paul and Silas who were beaten and put in prison. As they sat with their feet in stocks, they began to sing. "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:25 (CSB) There was an earthquake which caused the prison doors to open. Paul and Silas didn't escape which later led to the salvation of the prison guard and his family, but that's another story. 

If I looked further, I could give several other examples from the bible, but these are two that came to my mind immediately. So, what are we supposed to do while we wait? We can do the work that needs to be done and we can praise. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) says, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Sometimes the best thing to do is relax and rest as we wait for God to do His thing and trust that He will. "But even if he does not rescue us..." Daniel 3:18 (CSB), we will continue to trust. 

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