The Wait

Your son started work for a large corporation four years ago. He’s ready to move up, not only in responsibility and challenges, but also in pay. He applies for everything that is advertised. Nothing opens up, not even an interview.

Because you’re his mom, after a couple of years of this, you’re hacked. Anyone with two eyes and half a brain can see what an asset he would be to any office.

Next time a position is posted, you’re ready. “Call so and so, they owe you. Call so and so, he knows the guy who is over this office. Call so and so, he has been there forever and can pull all kinds of strings. Go see Personnel…show up every day so they know your name. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.”

Ever done that? I have. Just did in fact, except I didn’t say so and so. I gave names and numbers.

I’m still in Jeremiah. I will be so glad when we move on to Psalms although it really doesn’t matter. God can speak through a combination of any words in any book.

“ This is what the Lord says,

Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands. They will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

But…blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord…whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:5-10

In whom was I trusting? The person who knew someone, was owed a favor, was in an influential position. I would have drawn strength if just one of them had called me (and this whole thing is absolutely none of my business, nor was I asked to make it my business. I stand mute, my lips sealed although my head is about to implode with all this going on inside it, which is why I write a blog) and said, “This is So and So and I just want you to know, I have taken care of everything. You have a great son and I’m going to see he’s rewarded for his talent and hard work.”

Who gets the praise if he gets the job...So and So or God? Who is in control? Who is calling the shots?

My heart was turned away from God to all these people who could help God...like God needed help! Did I see prosperity? No! Did I dwell in parched places? Yes! Is God interested in positions or building character? Increased salary or a deeper walk with Him…an incredible realization of who He is? Did I, the mom, need a serious infusion of the Word? Oh yes.

The correction? Yes, you need to iron your shirt, shine your shoes, be armed with good references. But bottom line, God is the one who controls where you need to be…where He can use you to complete His plan. If the door closes, that wasn’t it. You want to wait for His best and trust Him to give you grace as you experience the drought of waiting...to flourish, without fear because He knows what He’s doing.

All powerful, mighty, able God Almighty. I trust in You alone. This is nothing in the scheme of things and when we’ve learned all You want us to learn, You can make anything happen that You want to happen. Anywhere, anytime with no assistance from anyone.

My heart is deceitful and only God understands it. He searches and examines my mind. But the great thing is He gives me words written 2500 years ago by an old prophet… and the Holy Spirit who lives within me brings them to life to correct me and set me on the right path. So when my kid is hacked, I can remind him Who is in control…to take a deep breath and wait. He knows exactly what he needs and when he needs it.

If he waits for Him to open doors, he will prosper and he’ll bear fruit even when everything around him is drying up because his trust and confidence is in Him alone.

No sweat.