September 03, 2009

Are You Kidding Me?!?

When I was in Italy, Tiff and I spent two nights in an area is called Cinque Terre. It was fantastic! It's called Cinque Terre because the 5 (cinque) towns are so close together. We took a day and did the 9km hike between the 5 different towns. My friend had warned me to start in town #5 and work my way down to town #1. She said it would be easier that way.

What I do not remember her telling me is that town #5 started with stairs from Hades! They went on for-e-ever! We'd stop and see the overwhelming beauty of the Italian coast, catch our breath and then keep climbing. As we rounded what felt like the 5,000 corner of stairs I exclaimed "Are you kidding me!?!", caught my breath and continued to climb. About 30 steps later we were at the top and were able to walk on flat land for a while.

Skip ahead a few weeks and I am traveling in Michigan via I-69. If you are not from MI you do no realize that summer in MI is also known as "road construction season". As I am sitting in construction traffic I see a sign that says "Construction--Next 26 Miles". After I drove the 26 miles I see another sign that says "Construction--Next 10 Miles". Again, I exclaim "Are you kidding me!?!" After a little eye rolling, I realized that construction only lasted a mile as it had already been completed.

I say "Are you kidding me!?!" a lot. It's only in the last month or two I realize I say that just before break though happens. Whether that is seen in flat ground or no more construction. So, when I felt the Lord asking me to wait, my first reaction was okay. I don't know why, but I will trust you. I'm at the point in waiting where I want to say "Are you kidding me!?!" How much longer?!?"

Maybe my waiting is just another mile. Maybe its just 30 more stairs.


"Those who wait (hope) upon the Lord will renew their strength, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" Isa 40:31

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