Saturday, March 10, 2012

When the wait is over


"The longer the blessing is in coming, the richer it will be when it arrives. That which is gained speedily by a single prayer is sometimes only a half-weighted blessing--but that which is gained after many a desperate tug and many an awful struggle is a full-weighted and precious blessing. The blessing which COSTS US THE MOST PRAYER will be worth the most." Charles Spurgeon




A year ago I wrote this post about faith and a video of Danica getting her Minerva brace off and taking her first steps.  (Please, if you have forgotten where we have been revisit this special video).  Today we experienced the full-weighted blessing of letting her ride a real bike in the neighborhood.  For years Danica has sweetly watched all the kids out on their scooters, riding their bikes and running circles around her.  I think she accepted her restrictions much more than Dan and I ever did.  It was hard to always say "no" about magical childhood fun.  It was as if we could feel something or someone stealing the days that ebbed into months and years.  Watching her ride today I could literally taste the fullness of her joy.  This waiting and expecting we do in Jesus name is never wasted time.  When it is over and the answer comes . . . painfully and slowly, like bone fusing to bone you wake up one day and realize the blessing is greater, the faith is stronger, the knowledge of God is so much deeper and you get on your knees not to ask for a thing but to thank Him for choosing you to be part of this staggering miracle.  If you doubt He is listening to you when you pray, if you think the struggle and the wait are too exhausting and oh so painful I ask you to sit awhile with our story.  Be patient.  He is FULL of compassion and His mercy endures forever. 

Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand… As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.  James 5:7-11

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