June 2021

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Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27: 14


Abide

You see her spot it among the leaves, that one strawberry that's almost ripe. Your sweet little three-year-old granddaughter in her blue princess dress moves toward the plant. She reaches out. . . . You tell her it's not quite ready; she should wait. It won't be sweet yet, you tell her, but she is sure she knows best. She can see it, after all, and it looks like a strawberry. What could you know, sitting way over there on the porch swing? She picks it and comes to stand before you, to show you she was right. You tell her, again, that it won't taste sweet. She bites off the end anyway. And puckers.

 King Saul rushed ahead of God. Instead of waiting for Samuel to come and offer up the sacrifice, Saul took it upon himself to do so, and as a result lost his chance for his kingdom to be established and to endure. (I Samuel 13) Jonah rushed ahead of God and jumped on a ship in an to attempt to flee the presence and promise of God. (Jonah 1) The Pharisees rushed to wrong conclusions about Jesus because his methods were unconventional, and because he spoke boldly against their hypocrisies. (Matthew 12).

 Lord, this thing I've been praying for, it's so close that I can almost taste it. I see it, Lord, and it looks to be right there within reach. This is it, Lord. Here we go! But He says, "Wait, child. It's not quite ready yet. It will be sweeter in My time. Wait, child. Abide."

 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4)

 Merriam Webster dictionary defines "abide" as:

 What will I do? I have two choices: trust Him and wait, or go ahead and do it my way. Which will I choose? You have these choices, too. Which will you choose?

 

Daye Phillippo

June 2021