They That Wait

 "But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

If 2021 had a theme for me it would be from this verse of scripture... 'They That Wait'. It was a continuation of COVID hysteria and to call it disruptive would be a vast understatement. It altered all areas of our lives and I would dare say it was permanent. I don't see going back to a pre-COVID world possible. The scars it has left for so many are very real and our tapestry has been permanently woven with pain and memories of the harshness of 2020 and 2021.

Our family was no different than most in its' effect. We closed our business in May, 2021 but God provided a wonderful opportunity for Alexia in a new career with Southwell Healthcare and we were so excited about this change. I began looking for a new position at that time and my search was not nearly as lucrative or quick as hers. I applied for job after job for nearly 6 months. Many positions would have been perfect fits given my skill set but I was either sent a turndown email or simply no reply from the hiring company.

I tried to maintain a positive attitude and remind myself that God has a plan but to be honest I wasn't fully sold on this notion after several months of disappointment. It's so easy to rely on God when everything is going good but when the outlook is hazy and you can't see what's ahead it becomes more difficult to hold to the promises of faith.

During this interim period I was diagnosed with COVID. Claudia and I spent several days in the hospital and I was so thankful I was vaccinated as the doctor said my outcome of 5 days would have been substantially different if I had not been vaccinated. Also during this period one of my very dear family members passed away from complications of COVID and I was unable to attend her funeral due to my own stint in the hospital.

Throughout this ordeal I was still seeking for a job and reaching dead-end after dead-end. I had several interviews but they didn't lead to employment. I was also aware that unemployment was a finite period of time and I was coming close to the end. All the while I was still trying to understand and question God why I was going through this in this way. I verbally said I trusted in His timing but I can truthfully say that I don't know that I genuinely allowed God to speak into my life through this period of time. 

Fortunately we have a great church and pastor and His messages were on point to speak into my situation. It was as if God used our pastor week after week to pour life into my situation. After several weeks, prayer and a lot of conversation with my wife I finally began to understand that God's timing isn't my timing. I can safely say that I am impatient and waiting is not a virtue I have a lot of..... until now. I have learned to WAIT! I have learned to LET GO! I have learned to LISTEN! I have learned to BE STILL!

I had to get to the point of desperation and understanding that I am NOT in control. My life is on borrow and I have to be open to what God has for me even in the unexpected places. Thank goodness God takes opportunities and people and makes something wonderful. I was complaining to a friend about my situation and instead of joining my whining they just listened. Within a week I got a call related to a position that I would have never applied or even thought about applying. It was a different career path and I was so pleased with the opportunity. I applied and was hired for this position. I have truly learned that when it is God's timing things fall into place. This was the easiest job I have ever gotten. The process was so fluid and I could not be happier.

I will begin my new career with the Social Security Administration next Monday. God had to orchestrate everything from my conversation with my friend to their connection with this organization to the organization needing to hire to me being willing to apply for a career I had no clue about. I'm sure God chuckled a little when his handiwork was made manifest and all the puzzle pieces fell into place in divine order.

Of course even when God gives us good life can give us not so good. I was headed home from church a few weeks back and I had a wreck totaling my vehicle. All the airbags deployed and the vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. I walked away with some scraps, bruises, and a broken finger but I walked away! Even when life throws you a blow you get back up. Even this was in God's control and things have fallen into place even in this tragedy. 

I don't know what will be next. I know I have learned to wait. I have learned humility and that no matter what comes my way God has it in control. I don't have to understand and that alone is a mountain of relief. God doesn't ask me to make sense of circumstances that happen. He's my 'strong tower I can run into'.

I heard a song a while back from Maverick City called 'Wait on You'. The lyrics are so on point for me. Here are the words. Such a powerful song with an impactful meaning....

Wait on You

I don't believe in fairytales, I guess I've outgrown them
But that doesn't mean that I don't believe
That there's something bigger than me
'Cause I've seen it in a hospital room
When the doctors said, "Sorry, there's nothing more we can do"
Well, it wasn't through

I've never seen a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
But I've got a promise I can hold in the middle of the struggle
God, if you said it, You'll perform it
May not be how I want You to
But here's what I'll do

I'm gonna wait on You
I'm gonna wait on You
I've tasted Your goodness
I'll trust in Your promise
I'm gonna wait on You
Yes, I'm gonna wait on You (yeah)
I've tasted Your goodness
I'll trust in Your promise
I'm gonna wait on You
Yes, I will, yes, I will
I will, I will, I will (I will), yeah

I know You ordered every step
Yeah, You are the Author
And there's no predicting what is next
But You hold the future
And all the questions they come second
To the one I know is true, yeah
Oh, you've always been true

So I'm gonna wait on You, yes
I'm gonna wait on You
I've tasted Your goodness
I'll trust in Your promise
I'm gonna wait on You (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I'm gonna wait on You (Jesus)
I've tasted Your goodness
I'll trust in Your promise
I'm gonna wait on You, oh

A Heritage of Service... An Homage

 As I sat in the business meeting tonight and was voted onto the Church's Pastoral Council I had to think of the years my dad has served on the pastor's council or deacon board. I grew up a deacon's kid most of my life. This is a special tribute to the man who taught me how to serve others.

My dad is a man that has lived his life in service to God and to God's calling on his life. He has never backed down from a pastor's call. One Example comes to mind -  In the church I grew up there was a cleaning schedule and families took turns cleaning the church. I recall on weekends when it was our turn we cleaned the church. I recall many radio broadcasts both morning and afternoon broadcasts that our family was a part. I remember visiting hospitals, convalescent homes, 'cottage' prayer meetings, visitations, funeral homes, and revivals that we attended throughout my childhood. Church was as much a part of our lives as our home. In fact many times church was viewed as home and church family was as much family as blood relatives. 

Throughout those years I recall my dad serving in every capacity possible. He would be Sunday School teacher, Choir Director, Usher, Special Singer, Worshiper, Testifier, Table and Chair hauler, Bus Driver, etc. If there was a position that needed filling and he had the ability to do the job he was there and I in turn was right there to witness. I have often thought that I wish we could be like some families that simply went to church and went home, but that wasn't what God had called him to do. I have learned over the years that that's not what God calls any of us to do.

God calls us to serve. In whatever capacity we can we are to serve God, our community and each other. A service mentality gives many characteristics itself namely: humility, love, ability to comfort, ability to worship, and the ability to be the hands and feet of Jesus. In a world full of selfishness and a 'me' culture my example was of service. I've seen dad make many difficult decisions and stand firm with our pastor when others were not so kind. He is a great defender of any pastor he was in service. He understood that his job was to offer sound prayerful advice and to make difficult decisions that others may not understand. All the while he maintains integrity and a spirit of love.

I sat in the meeting tonight and could not help but think back to the example my dad has given me of what it means to be on a pastor's council. I hope I can be as impactful for my church and community as he has been for his. I can only say Thank You to the man who has shown me by example.

love you dad ...

jamie