Got Hope?

Last evening, I was privilege to speak on the topic of hope for a women's supper. The event itself was wonderful and is an ongoing tradition for a local church in which the MEN of the church prepare and serve a formal dinner to the women of the church. How is that for a servant's heart? What a great idea. So much work went into the evening. Tables were adorned beautifully, a live band played background music for the reception, and then the evening included worship music, fabulous food, a moving devotional by a young Mom ... and then everyone had to listen to me for a while. I "hope" that the theme of "hope" came through. As usual, I think I got more of a blessing out of the evening than anyone listening. One of the things I share when I speak on the topic of hope is this poem, and I'm so often asked for copies, that I thought I'd put it here on my blog. It was a gift to me back in the 1990s when my husband Bob was battling cancer, and I honestly cannot tell you how helpful and encouraging it was.

So ... if you are waiting ... may this give you comfort ... and HOPE.

WAIT

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried.

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,

and the Master so gently said, “Child, you must wait.”

“Wait? You say, wait!” my indignant reply.

“Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened?  Or have you not heard?

By faith, I have asked, and am claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I can relate

Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me to WAIT?

I’m needing a ‘yes,’ a go-ahead sign,

Or even a ‘no’ to which I can resign.

And Lord, you promised that if we believe

we need but to ask, and we shall receive,

and Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:

I’m weary of asking!  I need a reply!”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate

as my Master replied once again, “You must wait.”

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

and grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting – for what?”

He seemed, then, to kneel, and his eyes wept with mine.

And he tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want – but you wouldn’t know me.

You’d not know the depth of my love for each saint.

You’d not know the power that I give to the faint.

You’d not learn to see through the clouds of despair.

You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.

You’d not know the joy of resting in me

when darkness and silence were all you could see.

You’d never experience that fullness of love

as the peace of my Spirit descends like a dove.

You’d know that I give and I save (for a start),

but you’d not know the depth of the beat of my heart.

the glory of my comfort late into the night,

the faith that I give when you walk without sight,

the depth that’s beyond getting just what you asked

of an infinite God, who makes what you have LAST.

You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee,

What it means that “My grace is sufficient for Thee.”

Yes, your dreams for your loved one overnight would come true.

But, oh, the loss! If I lost what I’m doing in you!

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see

that the greatest of gifts is to get to know me.

And though oft’ may my answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still, “WAIT.”

Author Unknown