Today I conclude the series. Thank you for every e-mail with feedback over the past few weeks. I want to end off with a story that I hope will encourage you in the midst of a waiting period.

 

The mist hung low over the pond. It was a big day for the young long-distance swimmer. For weeks she trained to become the youngest swimmer to cover a specific distance in a record time. Her mother and swimming coach were with her. The day before, she went to look at the famous yellow flag at the end of her route to encourage her. She was ready.

 

With the set-off, the young girl began to swim like a fish in the water while her mother and coach followed a short distance behind her on a rubber boat, with their stopwatches.

 

One hour passed. Suddenly the young girl stopped. A scream echoed over the water. Cramps. Pain was evident on her face. "Get me out of the water!" she shouted to her supporters. Because both were aware of how important this day was for the young girl, and that taking her out would disqualify her, they instead tried to motivate her to keep swimming: "It can't be that far anymore ... don't give up now. Your time is good.”

 

The young girl tried swimming again. After a few strokes the pain was back. She looked up, searching for the yellow flag. In the fog, she couldn't see anything. With tears of disappointment, she finally gave up: “Count me out. I cannot anymore ... "

 

The moment the girl sat on the boat, she gasped for breath. "No!" The fog was lifting and less than 100 meters away the yellow flag was clearly visible!

 

In a waiting time (to get pregnant, to meet a life partner, to get a job opportunity, to receive healing) the temptation is always there to give up.

 

In Lamentations 3:25 we read: "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him." (NIV)

 

May we continue to seek God in our waiting time, knowing that he not only knows where our "yellow flags" stand; he directs our steps in the right direction. And when we are weak, he strengthens us. God bless.

 

Prayer: Father God, thank you that I can know that you know the future. Help me to keep putting my faith and trust in you when I start to feel discouraged. I pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

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