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November 24, 2008

Waiting...

It's early Monday morning and I'm waiting in the airport to catch a flight to Texas. I tried taking a picture to post here but all I got was an odd-looking fake tree and a few haggard travelers. Mark and I are sharing a large cup of Starbuck's coffee. I just got lipstick on the rim, which drives him nuts. I had to get up at 5am so I'm feeling grouchy. We'll be fine by 10.

Another reason I'm feeling grouchy is that waiting seems to bring out that side of me. Are you like that too? I have waited for several "flights" in my life--getting married, finding a job, having kids (still in the airport on that one). I once wrote about that and here's part of what I said...

Imagine expecting to arrive in Hong Kong and stepping off your plane to discover you’re in Australia instead. That’s exactly what happened to one woman who boarded the wrong plane at the Los Angeles airport. Due to a computer error, no one knew she took another flight. She got on board, found a seat, and didn’t realize her travel plans had drastically changed until the plane landed in a different country.

All of us experience situations in life like the one described above. You think you’re taking the nonstop flight to your dreams, and next thing you know you’re stranded in a strange land you never intended to visit.  You’re not quite sure how you got there, when you’ll be leaving, or what in the world to do in the meantime.

While you may not be where you want to be, you don’t have to be there alone. And whether or not you chose your detour, you can choose to make it a time of healing and growth that changes the rest of your journey... 

Has anyone else ever feel like they unexpectedly hopped on that flight to Australia? I have!! While waiting may not be my favorite thing to do, I've discovered there can be unexpected blessings in those times. That doesn't make it easier...but it does help to know God is working to make sure I won't be boarding the plane empty-handed when the time comes. 

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 NIV

If you're waiting today, I'm asking God to give you strength, peace, and perseverance. And I'd love for you to share with us here so our little community can pray for you too...

Comments

Jeanette L

Holley: I've often commented that waiting is one of life's most difficult challenges. Right now I am waiting for the sun to shine once again on my daughter's life, our son to find a suitable job in his field-- animation-- and our congregation to 'turn around' from a downslide (my husband is a pastor). I have to keep reminding myself that my hope is in the Lord, not people or circumstances. He is more than able to fix any problem, including broken hearts and dreams. He may even give us a new dream--- kind of like a new flight, with a better destination than we'd expected! Jeanette

Antje

I`m waiting for a colonscopy now for 3+ weeks (and more than 2 weeks to go). I am very scared (of a possible bad result) and every day is a new struggle. Every day I need to overcome my worries, put them in Gods hand. I am not good at that, at all. Yesterday I was praying for the Lord to speak to me through a verse, PLEASE. And there comes Holley. Thanks for this post.

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