Waiting for something important in your lilfe? Still waiting? Who likes to wait? Patience must be a virtue because it doesn’t
come naturally to most of us. But there
is a reward for patience, especially when tethered to prayer. If you're waiting, let me encourage you with a true story.
My husband, Don, spent summers on his grandparent’s
farm. Lester and Mary Livingstone were
the nice next-door neighbors. They’d
never had children, but when Don would ride his favorite outside toy, a red tricycle
that looked like a miniature tractor, Mr. Lester would call out, “Don, I think
you need a fill up. Come on over.” Don pedaled as fast as his chubby little legs
would go. Mr. Lester would get out his
garden hose and ‘fill-up’ Don’s tractor/trike and make small talk with this small
boy.
Mr. Lester had an older brother, Mr. Farley who was the
opposite. He’d come to visit, but he was
surly, grumpy, and wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone because he didn’t want
to be bothered to have to speak to you.
As years passed, Don knew that Mr. Lester and Mrs. Mary prayed everyday for Mr.
Farley to give his life to Jesus. But time went on and Mr. Farley’s hair turned whiter, and his disposition turned surlier
and grumpier.
Then one summer, as was Mr. Farley’s custom, he came for a
visit. Somehow he was persuaded to go to church,
which he never would before. To
everyone’s great joy, Mr. Farley gave his heart and life to Jesus! He was never the same. Surliness and grumpiness were gone. He smiled. His eyes danced. He’d seek you out
to talk, especially about his favorite topic, Jesus.
Mr. Farley didn’t live too much longer. But the Livingston’s prayers were
answered. Not right away. In fact, as the years had gone by, it didn’t
seem like they even were being heard in the heavens. They didn’t give up. Instant answers to prayers are nice, and
quite frankly, what we all prefer. Charles Sprugeon knew that when he said, “If
we have hope for what we don’t see, we’ll wait with patience for it.”
Of course, Mr. Farley becoming a Christian is the powerful
and wonderful answer to prayer. But, to
me, the other powerful lesson in this story is Mr. Lester and Mrs. Mary’s
perseverance and dedication to prayer.
They had to believe that prayer was worth their time and effort. They had to believe that prayer was the key
to moving Mr. Farley’s heart to God.
They had to believe that God was hearing them even when they didn’t see
any evidence. Patience might not be a natural
part of me. But faithfulness is a natural part of God!
Just because our life is busy and fast and full of activity
and facebook and twitter, doesn’t obligate God to instant answers. I have several prayers that I’m waiting for
answers. When I think about Mr. Farley’s transformation in
Christ, it urges me to keep praying.
Moving Forward is continuing
to move forward with prayer in expectation of God’s movement in His precise,
perfect timing.
I appreciate all of
you who link this blog on your fb. Some have said they have difficulty commenting
here. You can go to my fb and comment
there. I love hearing from you!
