When the Brook Dries Up....

Elijah waited beside the brook, watching the gushing water slowly dwindle to a tiny sliver and then disappear entirely. The birds flew away and the animals left, seeking water elsewhere. Elijah stayed, following God's instructions to wait until He was told to move on.  He did not grow impatient, make His own plans and then rush off in search of other streams. He left only when God told him to.

It is hard to wait, even harder to do so patiently, especially when your brook , your resources, are diminishing. Our culture demands action. "When the going gets tough, the tough gets going." In reality, the super strong exercise wisdom, prudence and trust. They wait until a full plan is developed and a clear path is visible. It takes more self-control and strength to wait, than it does to run.

In the movie We Were Soldiers, Lieutenant Hal Moore, played by Mel Gibson, refused to panic and run when faced with overwhelming enemy numbers. He ordered his soldiers to hold their ground while he formulated a course of action. His men trusted him, and obeyed.  According to the movie version, Lieutenant Moore stood still, perfectly still, ignoring the raging battle until his plan was fully developed, a plan that not only saved the platoon, but defeated the entire enemy force as well. That greatly impressed me.

I have yet to develop that amount of will power. My first inclination is to run, or at the very least pace in near panic, unable to think clearly. This time around I am trying a little harder to remain focused, patiently waiting for the next step to present its self.

I am not inactive during this waiting period. I search the job ads twice a day and send out my resume to every one I feel I am qualified for, and I pray - a lot. However, I am striving not to worry and ruin every moment of everyday, missing out on the blessings God sends: beautiful sunrises and sunsets, morning coffee and conversation with my husband, warm summer afternoons on the patio, and visits with friends - to mention only a few. I do my best, then wait with expectant hope it will be enough. With God, it will be.

Of course, God isn't sitting by idle either. He is working behind the scenes and sending me comfort and encouragement through signs, particularly scripture. This week my bible fell open to Jeremiah 42:10-12 as I was paging from one listed reading to another. The words seemed to float off the page.

If you will be quiet and remain in this land, I will build you up, and not pull you down: I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for now I am  appeased for the evil that I have done to you. Fear not because of the king of Babylon, of whom you are greatly afraid; fear him not said the Lord: for I am with you, to save you, and to deliver you from his hand. And I will show mercies to you, and take pity on you, and will cause you to dwell in your own land.

The next morning my bible fell open to Daniel 3 in the same manner. The story of Sidrach, Misach and Abendago in King Nebuchadnezzar's furnace has always given me comfort and encouragement. Interesting how the two scriptures are related in meaning.

I don't know what the future holds. All I can see is today, an hour at a time - stepping stones leading me toward the fulfillment of God's plan for my life. Regardless of where the path leads, what sorrows I will endure, I can be sure the path will also be filled with great joy.