Wait on the Lord

The pastor of Christ Central Church of Charlotte called me to ask if I could use some food donations for Christmas dinner for the moms Cities4Life works with who chose life over abortion. I'd never met him, nor heard of his church. What an unexpected blessing! I never turn down a resource! It gave me an opportunity to surprise one of my favorite young mamas with a vanful of food.

I love this lady, "L"! She is doing well.  Her baby, now almost 1 1/2 years old is a joy and delight. Unfortunately, the baby was off with her dad when I arrived, so I didn't get to cuddle with her.

Another ministry donated pajamas for all the mamas we work with. So I came to L, who has become a friend, heavy-laden with goodies. I am simply the conduit of others' generosity, but I get the fun part -- the hugs and the smiles.

 L, like so many of the mamas we work with, had been completely overwhelmed when I met her at the abortion center. Her life was turned upside down with her unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. She had no idea how she could do anything but abort.

One of the things I often tell these young moms in crisis is that God has a plan for us. Sometimes in the midst of that plan, we are in terrible situations that feel never-ending. But they will end. What we are experiencing now will not be forever. We have two calls to action in those times: do not sin in the midst of desperation, and wait on God to reveal the next step.

My theme for this Christmas has been wait on the Lord. Sometimes, we wait a very long time, but while we are waiting, He is preparing us. We don't always know what we are being prepared for, but the glimpses I have been afforded tell me it will be exquisite when the fullness of our expectation arrives.

"Guess what, Miss Vicky?" L said as she hugged me.
"What?"
"I'm going back to school next year. I'm going to get my degree."
I've waited a long time to hear that joyous, hopeful news!

Lamentations 3:25 

The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

Psalm 27:14

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

Habakkuk 2:3 

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Psalm 130:5-6

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Isaiah 40:31 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 39:7 

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.