The Waiting Place

Remember the Dr. Seuss book, ‘O The Places You’ll Go’? You probably got a thousand of them for graduation. Remember the part in the book where he talks about The Waiting Place. Turns out, that’s a real place. I should know. It’s where I seem to be camped out currently. Praying, hoping, believing, expecting...and then, waiting.

It’s not a bad place, really. It’s predictable, at least. And, it’s a heartbeat from Hopeful, so the view is nice…if you keep your eyes on the prize. The only real flaw is that it can be rather exhausting, all that waiting, all those hopeful expectations.

It’s not that my faith is shaken or that I'm angry that God isn’t on the same timetable as me. And we aren't dealing with an issue of trust, here. In fact, there is a strong, buoyant belief that we are headed towards, and will end up at Hopeful, eventually. It's just that, in the meantime, I’m a little tired. I’m in need of renewal, of refreshment. I’m willing to do the waiting, but I need a long, slow drink from the stream of Living Water.

It’s nice to know He's ready to provide that. And that He isn’t just hanging out at Hopeful. He's not just about the end game. There are places, here, where he wants me to dig in and he delights in me here, in this place, just as much as he ever has. He’s in The Waiting Place with me, talking me through it, reminding me of His faithfulness, and showing me glimpses of Hopeful. And so, we wait.

It seems that a whole lot of scripture is written for those of us gathered in The Waiting Place. Isaiah 40:29-31 comes to mind.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary
And young men stumble and fall

But those who hope in the Lord
Will renew their strength

They will soar on wings like eagles
They will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not grow faint

So, here's to soaring around in The Waiting Place and to the tender care of my Father, who knows all I need before I even ask (Matt 6:8).