Strength for the Wait

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me.

─ Psalm 3:3-4

Ellen poured herself a second cup of coffee, but as she placed the coffee pot back in the holder, she missed the edge of the coffee maker and the pot fell into the sink. “I can’t seem to do anything right this week,” she muttered as she grabbed the pot, thankful the glass pot hadn’t broken.

Her friend and coworker, Danielle, had walked into the break room. “Are you okay?” she asked.

Ellen paused for a minute, wondering if she really wanted to share. “I’m just discouraged and distracted,” she admitted.

Danielle smiled. “I’d be happy to pray for you.”

Ellen took a sip of her coffee. “You know that scripture, don’t grow weary in well doing?” she asked. Danielle nodded. “Well, I’m getting weary. It’s not that I don’t think the Lord will do what He promised. I know He will do it. It’s just taking a lot longer than I had hoped. I’ve never been someone with a lot of patience, and waiting is so very hard for me.”

Danielle nodded. “I don’t like to wait either, but like you, I’m learning to let patience have her perfect work, even when it hurts. I try to focus less on what I’m waiting on and more on strength to endure the wait. I find having people who encourage me and pray for me helps a lot.”

Ellen smiled. “Thank you, Danielle. Perhaps we could get together for a time of prayer. I’d like that a lot.”

Today’s One Thing

Make it a point to offer strength and encouragement to someone today.

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