Hope in the Waiting

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – (Romans 8:25, NIV)

But we are hoping for something we don’t have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently. – (Romans 8:25, ERV)

But if we wait expectantly for things we have never seen, then we hope with true perseverance and eager anticipation. – (Romans 8:25, VOICE)

 

Kingdom principles applied to earthly timetables are indeed the most challenging to embrace. Hoping for what we desire and cannot yet see, and waiting patiently for what is yet to come, are foundational elements of faith. Walking beside someone, particularly a parent, following a serious stroke, indeed provides opportunity to exercise the fortification of one’s faith and the identification and holding fast to the very things for which one holds hope. Patiently waiting is proving the most challenging, as it can be agonizing to watch the struggle as a loved one works tirelessly to regain what was once automatic. It is a slow and tedious process, but each small step in the right direction is worthy of celebration and thanksgiving. Obviously in our circumstance, the hope is that mom will regain her independence and mobility, and be able to resume life as she knew it prior to her stroke. Right now, she is in the season of not yet. She is still in the space of relearning to walk and regain control of the right side of her body. Mom is leaps and bounds beyond where she was three months ago when this all began, yet there is still much ground to gain before she can safely live alone. This is the space of hoping for what is not yet, and waiting patiently with perseverance and eager anticipation, as God can do so much more.

Yesterday, mom had yet another glimpse of the good things yet to come. I had asked Nick, her physical therapist, if he would be willing to work with mom on steps. He gladly obliged, and before the end of their session, mom had walked down and back up her front landing steps and walkway with her hemi-walker (one-handed walker) with Nick beside her, giving verbal coaching cues and minimal hands-on as a reassurance. She did incredibly well, and will practice again on Wednesday. The bonus blessing of being able to navigate steps is that next week, when she has a gap week between insurance coverage locally, (covered in Oregon, not here) she will be able to return to her friend’s pool and step down into the pool and climb the steps back out, rather than relying on two people to lift her in and out. Extra exercise options will be wonderful, and the pool has been a favorite for both of us. Mom also had speech therapy and a lovely visit with a sweet pair of her neighbors. The visit took us up to a late dinner start, so by the time we had eaten and watched a movie, we were both wiped out and ready to sleep. Mom slept through the night until 4:30 am, and went back to sleep. In fact, she is still sleeping now. 😊 Rest is so good, and will be of great help as she has options for adventure today, with only occupational therapy on the schedule this morning.

May we seek the Lord to help us hold fast to hope for that which we cannot yet see, and wait patiently with perseverance and eager anticipation, as God moves on our behalf.

 

Hope is the anchor,

That tells us, “Hold on!”

A strength from within,

God’s gracious response.

The patience to wait,

For things yet unseen;

Faith to keep trusting,

In that still to be.

With perseverance,

Anticipate good;

God’s ever moving,

His love understood.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for granting us hope in that which we cannot see, and faith that You are moving on our behalf in the waiting. Forgive us for our impatience, as Your timing is not our own. Teach us to trust You more, as Your ways are perfect and Your plan is best. Show us how to love those around us as they are in their own spaces of waiting or hoping or persevering toward the prize that seems out of reach. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust You to be our hope and strength that sustains us as You grow our faith each step of the way. Help us to continue to persevere in You. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the inner curtain. – Hebrews 6:19

 

 

Rest in Weariness

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – (Matthew 11:28, NIV)

 

This is a promise that I am holding close. As the end of the school year continues to draw ever nearer, the number of activities and obligations seems to grow exponentially. Days are long, and do not slow down, from early morning until late evening. God is faithful, and seems to provide enough energy to successfully navigate each new day, and here I sit on the final Saturday before the final three and a half days of the school year. Today is booked from early morning to evening, but it is an adventure with friends that refuels me with strength in the midst of my weariness. Regardless of the sort of stretch that lies ahead, there is One on Whom we can depend for strength and help and rest. May we ever seek the Lord in both times of weariness and strength, and welcome the rest that He alone will provide.

 

O Lord, here I stand,

In need of Your rest;

For You, God alone,

Provide for me best.

When weariness comes,

You grant me a way;

To find strength in You,

That is new each day.

And when I’m so tired,

I fear I am done;

Your strength sees me through,

Magnificent One.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we are weary and burdened, You provide us rest in You. Thank You for seeing us through and giving us strength when we are worn, and for walking beside us all of our days. Forgive us for trying to gut things out on our own and not turning in trust to You. Teach us to run to You in times of both struggle and strength, as You are our Source on whom we can always depend. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they would be encouraged and strengthened by Your love through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we find our rest in You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. – Psalm 68:19

 

Keeping Close to Christ

The Lord is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you. – (2 Chronicles 15:2b)

 

When we stay close to God, we know His will and direction for our lives, and are granted the strength and endurance to walk it out according to His plans, rather than our own. However, if we turn from God and attempt to do things on our own, He allows us to wander in the wilderness, where we lack direction, support and sustenance. We are called to be invested in a body of believers in order to help keep us close to Christ. Our walking beside one another, should help guide our hearts and minds to hold fast to our Heavenly Father with fervor. May we keep company that points us to Christ, and choose to seek the Lord with all that we are.

 

The Lord will draw near,

when we choose seek Him;

He is present; found,

all hope enters in.

Yet if we forsake,

the God of all grace;

we’re left on our own,

to run this long race.

Let’s stick to seeking,

and investing well;

walking with others,

as we fend off hell.

Together as one,

with strength from the Lord;

all hope is assured,

through grace He affords.

So ever draw near,

keep seeking to find;

the Lord is faithful,

both body and mind.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are with us when we are with You. Thank You that when we seek You, we find You. Thank You that You call us to be in community that builds each other up in our pursuit of You, and can help one another keep on the path that You have placed before us. Forgive us for walking away from what we know to be Your will, or for disengaging from the community in which we have been called. Teach us to trust You more, so that we will be continually seeking more of You – with You in all things at all times. Lead us to love others in such a way that their hearts are drawn unto You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we are with You, seeking You and investing in the body to which we have been called. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. – 2 Corinthians 1:3

Alive in Him

He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him all are alive. – (Luke 20:38)

 

There is much hope that is held in this word, as it is a reminder that all who have gone before us who had invested their hearts and lives in the Lord, have not died a spiritual death, but rather they are alive in Christ, living with Him for all of eternity. This brings much comfort, as I find myself caught in glimpses of grief over the loss of my dear friend, Anne. Though she passed a little over a year ago, the end of her life was a battle, and I had the rare privilege of walking beside her for much of it. Over the weekend, I encountered a few situations that hit too close to home, and triggered a heaviness I was not aware I was carrying. Mere moments passed over the last few days, where I would feel a sudden flash of sadness. When I spoke with a friend yesterday, it was only then that I realized what had been tugging at my heart. One particular situation that I chose to walk in, mirrored a portion of the road I walked with Anne. It is no wonder that a bit of sorrow seeped in. Fortunately, sorrow and sadness need not stay long, as Anne was firmly rooted and established in Christ. She is very much alive in Him. I have the blessed assurance that she is Home, and that I will one day join her on the streets of gold. May we each hold fast to the gift of God, that is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

All are alive,

who invest in God;

let Christ come rule,

and our praise applaud.

In Him, is life,

after earthly death;

His peace pours out,

as we draw each breath.

Hope for today,

promise for always;

life abundant,

for all of our days.

Be rooted well,

in the Holy Vine;

to bear fruit now,

and embrace Divine.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are not the God of the dead, but of the living. Thank You that in You, all are alive. Thank You that our earthly death is not the end, but only the beginning of the fullness of life that You have for us. Thank You that those who have gone before us who loved and invested their hearts in You, are secure in the safety of Your presence forever. Forgive us for our lack of vision for the future, and help us to hold fast to our eternity, as our time on earth is but the blink of an eye in comparison. Help us to make our time here matter, as we love others by loving like You love us. May many come to know the hope of eternal life in You, as we live as You call us to live. Be glorified, O God, as we live out the life You have gifted us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Because of the tender mercy of our God, …the rising sun will come to us from heaven. – Luke 1:78