This Time Last Year

"I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."
Psalm 27:13-14

Waiting is a learned discipline.

And it rarely looks pretty on my countenance. 

I want to be calm and peaceful and quietly restful in all my waiting seasons.

But.

Instead.

I can be profuse in my grimaces, and my worry and my sweaty, red-faced clamor.

(Is N.O.W. really too much to ask?!)

The clash of my longing and God’s timing keeps me wrestling with Him through details.

I acknowledge that Mastery of the Patience Thing would effectively end this wrangle. 

And I recognize that the wrangle has value (dang it).

All the wrestling locks me in his grasp.

It keeps me in the game.

We stay connected in a way that strengthens and trains.

It builds muscle.

And necessary skill.

It shapes a warrior.

Remembering the provisions of God nourishes the faith muscles required to sustain a hopeful waiting posture in my current circumstances.

Retelling His benefits, feeds the very muscles that sustain all the wrestling.

Pictures of our furlough travels have prompted needful recollection this week.

The myriad interruptions (waiting) of last year did not hinder the blessings God had designed for us.

 These images and the memories they represent are soothing and strengthening and reminding me of God's good plans and purposes:

Pontevecchio Dates with Jeff-- completely delightful

Thanksgiving Prayer

Enjoying the winter weather in Durango, CO

Home to Oregon

Football with the Family (GO ROYALS!!!)

Meals and memories at Grammy and Granddad's table

Sweet memories with Uncle S'More

Joy :)

Celebrating, all together in one place

The gorgeous Oregon Coast 

A Merry Thanksgiving Meal 

One of our VERY favorite places in the world--Multnomah Falls

Snow!

The Grand Canyon

Surprise Time with treasured friends!

Every moment with THIS girl!

Silly Selfies

Games!

Sisters. Starbucks. Sanctuary.

Offspring in the halls of our junior high--so many memories in these corridors

This. 

Token tree decorating pose--HAPPINESS!

Beautiful Glenwood

Enjoying time with the Goodes!

Home away from Home--We love you Bill and Virginia!

A birthday supper at Mercado's. Perfection!

The Cashlings meet the Funnel Cake. Love at first bite!

Rockets and stars--a fun day at NASA

Dearest friends

Cheering for Bryson at a swim meet!

The Great Wolf Lodge with lots of Cousins

Sweetest sustaining connections--the Vaughn family

Refreshing Hope in the home of the Parsons--a perfect and very blessed ending to our furlough

And so, reminded, I remain.

Locked in His grip.

Holding out for a bestowing.

Limping and blessed.

"And Jacob was left alone, and a Man wrestled with him until daybreak.

And when [the Man] saw that He did not prevail against [Jacob], He touched the hollow of his thigh; and Jacob’s thigh was put out of joint as he wrestled with Him.

Then He said, Let Me go, for day is breaking. But [Jacob] said, I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing upon me.

[The Man] asked him, What is your name? And [in shock of realization, whispering] he said, Jacob [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]!

And He said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob [supplanter], but Israel [contender with God]; for you have contended and have power with God and with men and have prevailed.

Then Jacob asked Him, Tell me, I pray You, what [in contrast] is Your name? But He said, Why is it that you ask My name? And [the Angel of God declared] a blessing on [Jacob] there.

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel [the face of God], saying, For I have seen God face to face, and my life is spared and not snatched away.

And as he passed Penuel [Peniel], the sun rose upon him, and he was limping because of his thigh."

Genesis 32:24-31 

The Amplified Bible