There are so many thoughts and concerns swirling inside my brain this morning (oooo-- evidence that my brain does exist):
First, I'm reading a great study by Jennifer Kennedy Dean on prayer. I will write down the passages from her prayer study I copied into my journal this morning. I know they will bless you. She writes:
John wanted to make it clear that when Jesus built a delay into the process, when He stayed two days longer in the place where He was (John 11), it was in the context of how much He loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus . . . His delay, then, was loving, purposeful, profitable, and deliberate. It was necessary for accomplishing the bigger agenda He had in mind.
And again later Kennedy Dean writes:
When it appears from earth that God is delaying, He is really putting pieces together that you had not thought of. He is engineering circumstances so that His power and glory will be on display. When God builds a waiting period into the course of your affairs, it means that what He is doing requires it. His apparent delays are loving, purposeful, and deliberate.
This study is speaking to me directly about the sale of our acreage and former home in Blunt, South Dakota. Of course we wanted it to sell quickly. It is taking a while, but God is in that "taking a while" time. Even if it is takes several months (or even more than that) God is still working. The longer we have to wait for answers to prayer (when we are waiting expectantly and with hope) the bigger the answer must be. Miraculously (but definitely not surprisingly) God has been sustaining us in our new home and giving us the ability to stay current on our payments for our former home. In His time God will move on this earth.
Maybe you too have a situation you are waiting to see resolved. Keep holding on. Keep believing. Your belief is a work of God, and your constant belief (especially when it is tough to believe) is doing mighty things in the spiritual realm.
Second, have you been following Joey and Rory's story? They are a married couple country singing duo who write heart-felt songs about life and faith. Rory is an incredible writer. Joey, the wife, has terminal cancer, and this is the current subject of his blog found here. Please click on that link. You will be blessed. To see this man writing heart-felt faith-filled words while he watches his beloved wife fade from his life to the next is beautiful and loving and sad and tragic and incredible -- go there please. Here is the link again: Rory's blog. Her family is asking all to pray Thursday evening for Joey's healing and peace.
Third, how amazing it is that we get to be part of God's work. He invites us all to be part of His work. I am so thankful we are living where God has led us to live. If you ask God will show you Himself and what He is doing right where you live. Ask Him. Be part of it. Rejoice with others as they receive blessings. Weep with those who are mourning. Shout in joy while you wait for God to move. This life is far more incredible and breath-taking than we can grasp. Thank you Lord Jesus!