WAITING, SOARING

 

 

WAITING, SoARING

 

“They that hope in the Lord… will soar…” – Isaiah 40:31

 

In February 2007, I had an overseas job offer. The agency told me that I could leave in two to three months’ time. By mid-April, I had already submitted all the documents required so I was hoping to leave by May. But my long-awaited visa was not yet released. Excitement came as the estimated departure date drew near. But May came and I still had no visa.

Today’s verse, “They that hope,” is rendered in some versions of the Bible as, “They that wait.” Still, in some versions, the word “hope” is translated as “trust.” What this means to me is waiting in faith or “resting in expectation and patience,” as Webster defines it.

Waiting is one of the most excruciating experiences you can have. You become impatient, irritated, hot-tempered — emotions that negate the fruit of the Spirit. But I choseto wait patiently. Meanwhile, a local company offered me a consulting job that would pay me almost what I would earn overseas! Praying about it, I decided to forego the job abroad.

But God’s thoughts are way above mine. The overseas employer counter-offered and gave me an unexpectedly high salary.

Now that’s what I call soaring! Danny Tariman

 

REFLECTION:

“For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint. If it delays, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not be late.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

 

Thank You, Lord, for the grace to wait patiently for the fulfillment of Your plan for me. Amen.

 

 

When pROblems Weigh us dOWn

 

A young mother sits in front of her one-year-old child, feeling so depressed while holding to her unpaid bills. She fought with her husband the night before, for he used up all his salary to have a good time. Her son, sitting on a high chair, calmly sucks his pacifier. Her emotions get the best of her and she starts crying. Sobbing uncontrollably she picks her son up and hugs her tightly. Seeing her mom cry, the child takes his pacifier and sticks it to his mom’s mouth.

No one is exempt from troubles and problems that weigh man down. All of us in one way or another have experienced depression, loneliness and exhaustion. It is so consoling to know that in the midst of all these heaviness that we have in our hearts, there is a God who is very much willing to see us through. He offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light.

Brett Blair tells of an old story about a little boy who was out helping dad with the yard work. Dad asked him to pick up the rocks in a certain area of the yard. Dad looked over and saw him struggling to pull up a huge rock buried in the dirt. The little boy struggled and struggled while Dad watched. Finally, the boy gave up and said, “I can’t do it.” Dad asked, “Did you use all of your strength?” The little boy looked hurt and said, “Yes, sir. I used every ounce of strength I have.” The father smiled and said, “No, you didn’t. You didn’t ask me to help.” The father walked over and then the two of them pulled that big rock out of the dirt.

And that is all that we need to do. There is a Father who is very much willing to unburden us, to lighten the load on our backs. All we need to do is ask. Fr. Sandy V. Enhaynes

 

Reflection Question:

Is there anything that’s weighing you down these days? Call on God. He is just a prayer away.

 

Lord Jesus, I know You are always around to help me carry my load. Help me to trust in that truth.

 

St. Peter Fourier, Priest, pray for us.