Some years ago, I met Jane and Jim, a long-married but childless couple. Sadly, though they’d often tried to adopt a baby, the arrangements failed each time, and their nursery remained unoccupied.
Like other couples at the time, they investigated adopting a child from overseas and were successful. They flew to a foreign city to meet their new daughter, Katie. Once there, however, they had more paperwork to complete. The adoption could not be finalized for a few weeks. So, they returned to the States and waited longer. I asked Jane how they were coping with the delay.
“I guess I’m optimistic,” she said. “The nursery’s been ready for a long time, but I closed the door. Now I keep the door open since Katie’s on her way.”
Shortly after, my friends did bring Katie home, and the nursery was no longer empty. When I wondered why Jane was so optimistic, I realized it was because she trusted those behind the adoption process.
Sometimes on my Christian journey, I also must wait for various reasons. Naturally, I begin to worry. I frequently ask, “What am I supposed to do now?”
Paul had the best advice: wait patiently and trust the one controlling the wait and who will deliver the perfect outcome. After all, God is the omnipotent, omnipresent, sovereign creator of the universe.
When called to wait, trust God for the patience and the outcome.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and josealbafotos.)
Anne Adams is a retired church staffer living in Athens, Texas, where she writes a historical column for the local newspaper. Her book Brittany, Child of Joy, tells about her mentally disabled daughter and was published in 1986 by Broadman. She has taught junior college history and has published in Christian and secular publications for forty years.