Let us be "imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises." (Net)

This scripture from Hebrews 6:12 has been a great encouragement to me as I’ve worked through many issues. It takes on a new sheen as I enter the world of publishing. Having recently gotten two pieces accepted for publication (Glory to God), I am finding there’s a long lag time between submission and publication. That’s why writing this blog is so satisfying. Poof, it’s published! But my first magazine piece isn’t going to be out until the end of the year and the other one that is scheduled isn’t until next spring. Aah, I’m trusting that will be God’s timing.  With the Lord, a thousand years is as a day and vice versa. What patience He has to accomplish his purposes.

And, what patience he asks us to pursue. If I didn’t have patience before becoming a writer, I’d have to develop it now!

How much we all need perseverance/patience. Some of us are waiting for health. Some of us are waiting for the new body. Some of us are waiting for a spouse. Some of us are waiting for children. A few of us have given up waiting for anything good and feel hopeless today. We must add patience to our faith to inherit his promises.

Jesus, you are patient with us. Give us your patience, so we can be patient with you.

Our response when someone doesn’t show up for an appointment can reveal healing or a need for healing. This morning, waiting, I found myself first assuming he’d gotten held up in traffic. Then I figured maybe he’d forgotten, even though we’d confirmed it recently. Then, after half an hour, I was afraid he’d had an accident. He’d always been prompt before.

While I waited, I reviewed a strategy for writing speeches I’d learned yesterday from Ken Davis’s good book, Secrets of Dynamic Communication.   I drank the herbal tea I’d ordered. I prayed for the person I was waiting for.

Unlike my earlier years when I would have felt rejected, I did not take it personally; I assumed an explanation that didn’t reflect on my worth. It’s easy to feel unwanted when someone stands us up.  But, if we feel that, we probably are tapping into a reservoir of old pain–times, as children, when we felt rejected–pain that needs healing.  Most people wouldn’t make the appointment if they didn’t want to spend time with us. But if the earlier rejection still hurts, that pain may distort the truth.

Jesus, please help us think clearly when we feel hurt. Show us, wonderful counselor, where old pain still affects us and set us free.

Sitting in the funeral parlor waiting for the service for Uncle Bud to begin, the movement of Aunt Ginnie’s hand brought a tear to my eye. She fluttered her hand just like Libby, her sister, my dear mother-in-law, gone now two years. Ginny herself is nearly ninety, recovering from her second broken hip, brought out of the rehabilitation wing of the hospital just for her husband’s funeral.

Later, across the miles, I tell this to my daughter. She says, "I move my hand like Grandma. Remember how she always touched her thumb to her third finger?"

Yes, Libby’s gestures remain, continue.

But I want what is promised: An inheritance, kept in heaven for us. Those things God has prepared for us beyond our most creative imagination.

I can imagine a lot, can’t you? Great estates surrounded on every side by pines and pineapples. Unself-conscious intimacy with transformed enemies. Walking again with Libby among the daffodils. I can imagine rushing into the Father’s chambers to show him a new butterfly–like none on earth.

More than we can imagine. Imagine that!

Father, we long for your kingdom to come, your will to be done; on earth as it is in heaven.