In the Waiting

My husband and I sat quietly in our car, watching the vehicles of other parents pull into the parking lot of our church as we waited for our daughter, Jesi, to return home from Bible camp.  Two and a half days had felt like an eternity to us.  We couldn’t wait to see her smiling face again and hear the details of what she had just experienced.

At exactly the moment we expected them to arrive, I looked up to see both church vans turn the corner and pull up in front of the main entrance.  Joy exploded all around us as campers reunited with loved ones and hugs were exchanged between the children, bidding each other farewell.  What we had expectantly looked forward to for the past few days had finally come to pass.  Our daughter was home, happy and healthy and full of stories.

Happy endings and joyful reunions; the expected reward for waiting.  But what happens when that reunion does not take place or the happiness and joy we wait for elude us? How can we sit back and be patient when problems remain unresolved and questions remain without answer?

How do we stay patient?  How can we trust?  How do we persevere?

Take courage my heart, stay steadfast my soul,

He’s in the waiting

Hold onto your hope, watch your triumph unfold,

He’s never failing

—“Take Courage” by Bethel Music

The words poured into the crevices of my heart this morning while we sang the worship song during our church service.  As the chorus repeated, I allowed the promise to fill those gaping wounds in my own soul seeking answers.

For many times in my very own life, I have found myself waiting.  Waiting for answers. Waiting for healing.  Waiting for promises to be fulfilled.  Waiting for others to change or to see the error of their ways.  Waiting for my own heart to heal or accept forgiveness or extend mercy.  So much waiting; so much patience.

And where is my God through all of this?   Not absent.  Not distant, or removed or uncaring as some might suggest.

He is here.  He is IN the waiting.

As we remain patient, he is at work.  He knows the answers to our questions and he knows when they will be revealed to us.  He hears every cry and weeps with us over every tear we shed.  He is still there.  He is still faithful.

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.  –Proverbs 8:34

We can trust in the promises given to us through the Word of God.  We can believe joy will be provided as we persevere through the gift of the Holy Spirit.  And we can continue to hope for the most glorious of reunions that will happen one day, in that place where death does not exist.

And HE will be there, waiting for us.