Energetic Waiting

I want to marry this guy. The crazy thought or the still small voice that flew through my head the day I met Bill. I was a sophomore at Hope College; Bill a freshman. 1967

We were both young believers learning to follow Jesus.

“May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another in accord with Christ Jesus that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”.  Romans 15:5, 6. 1968.

The first time I remember hearing God’s personal Word to me during my devotions.

I am learning to trust truth from The Word.

Graduated from college, 1969; learning practical stuff – like how to cook more than a Betty Crocker cake mix.

Also was learning about how to do ministry at a large university. 1969- 1972.

Bill enrolls in seminary after college and also was learning about ministry on another large campus.

Experienced some hard stuff – a HUGE learning experience for us both; the realities of life. 1972.

Married – December 1972. All during those 5 ½ years of waiting and anticipating, we were both accumulating a storehouse of experiences that shaped and prepared us for our future together. Looking back, it was an energetic waiting. Our first 9 years of marriage we led the Nav ministry at the University of Illinois.

Many of the lessons of the past years guided us in ministry and

as we encouraged our friends along their relationship journeys.

Another Scripture that spoke to us in those days of waiting was Psalm 33:20-22:

Our soul waits for the Lord; - We were waiting on God, not circumstances.

He is our help and shield. – God was protecting us. Didn’t understand it back then.

For our heart is glad in him, - even if we didn’t like the circumstances.

because we trust in his holy name. – We were learning to trust – a biggie!

Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,

even as we hope in you. – We worked at keeping our hope centered on God.

Those years culminated in other practical lessons:

·        Life is not only about me.

·        Reviewing truth was so important.

·        I often need to look around and see my circumstances from another perspective. 

I continue to learn that these principles apply to many many waiting scenarios. 

“but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; …”

Isaiah 40:31a