Be joyful in hope...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Romans 12:12

        My Pastor recently reminded me of a story about the Israelites in the Old Testament…little did he know that story would bring much strength during this period of waiting.  Waiting is something I don’t do well.  I am trying, but sometimes it just gets plain old and just hard.  Those are the times I find myself acting much like the Israelites…complaining. 

        The story goes…Moses led Israel from the Red Sea into the Desert of Shur.  For three days they traveled without finding water.  When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter.  So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”  Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood.  He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. 

        There the Lord made a decree and a law for them.  He tested them.  He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” 

        And then here comes the good part…Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.  

        After my pastor told the story of the Palms of Elim, he followed it up with the most toe stomping statement.  Be Careful when you grumble against the Lord, because you never know how close you are to the blessings of the Almighty God. 

        The Israelites were only three days into the desert before they were grumbling…then they were right around the corner from the refreshing Palms of Elim.  The blessing of refreshment was closer than they realized, yet they chose to focus on what they did not have instead of what they did.  I am slowly learning, waiting is much easier when it comes after praise.  Waiting is much easier with thanksgiving in my heart.  Waiting is much easier when my eyes are focused on the blessings in my grasp and not those I can’t hold and touch right now.  Waiting is much easier when the Lord is all I need. 

        Last week Lily turned three.  And because I have the blessing of friends, that day was not painful.  We were able to rejoice.  There were two handfuls of people who provided something special and needed on that special day.  It came through prayers sent through texts, a pound cake, face time, and sweet new pics.  Now, Anna Lee is still learning all these emotions, and I have noticed it is getting harder for her, but her faith still inspires me.  Her prayers are still constant and never changing.  “Lord, be with the kids at the orphanage, and please bring Lily home the next trip.”  No grumbling just asking. 

        I don’t really have an update except we are persevering through the Lord’s strength.  When she does come home it will be through the Lord’s provision…NOT MANS.  If there is one thing I have learned it is the power of Him who holds my right hand each and every day! 

        Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but with in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, WITH THANKSGIVING, present your request to God (our instruction). AND the peace of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (our promise).

Philippians 4:6- 7

        You never know how close your blessing is…thankfulness trumps grumpiness!  My new learned life lesson…one day when I grow up I might grasp all these lessons the Lord is teaching me.  I am thankful He doesn’t give up on me!