God’s Waiting Room

The following devotion was typed by me….but written from the words shared by my sister, Wanda, at her kitchen table as we studied the Word, shared some tears, fears and lots of love. 

We had begun our new blog, “Sisters of Faith” the week after Christmas, while she was in the hospital.  I had taken my laptop, and Aimee (our youngest sister), had told Mark that we would stay with Wanda this particular night.  The idea had played around the edges of my thoughts and I had even discussed the possibility of creating a blog with Aimee and Wanda.  “What would we call it?” —  “Who would write?” —  “All of us” —  “But I don’t have a computer”, says Wanda—“We’ll find a way” —says Angie.  So that night, while sitting in a reclining chair on one side of Wanda’s bed, with Aimee  on the other side, in what they (the hospital), try and pose as a makeshift bed— we think — and pray.  Each in our own world of thoughts….as Wanda breathes.  Struggling breaths at times.  We watch the numbers on her heart monitor….we rest somewhat fitfully.  But we rest.

We have all likened this most recent testing of our faith being similar to the test of the three Hebrew young men.  Always referred to in Bible stories as the “Hebrew Children”, they were not children.  They came to a place in their faith life that their faith was tested as it had never been.  They knew with certainty that God would deliver them.  Whether from the fire, through the fire or, in the fire, they would have deliverance from the God they served.  So it was with us.  We didn’t know in what manner God would choose to bring about Wanda’s healing.  We just knew with all our hearts that this was God’s puzzle to complete.  The doctors had exhausted all of their abilities.  What happened next would be completely up to the Father. 

So, it came to me sometime in the night.  What we were.  What we are.  We are sisters.  We have faith.  We believe in miracles…but if none comes, we still have faith.  We are still sisters.  We still have faith.  For although one now waits on the other side of this realm of life…..we are still sisters….and she is waiting on us now.  No longer in God’s waiting room.  Her name was called.  She left her seat of waiting…..and joined Him.

And now, Wanda’s first and only devotional blog post:   GOD’S WAITING ROOM

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Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Have you ever had to wait on something? Waiting is sometimes the hardest thing to do. In this life of instant everything….perhaps we forgotten how to “wait”.

These are some thoughts that have been on my mind in this most recent episode of heart problems. I have had health issues all of my life—so you would think I would be used to the onslaught of enemy attack by now. Or at the very least, I would know what and when to expect it. But yet again….I am caught off guard. In my weakened physical condition…the enemy attacks the spiritual “me”.   Isn’t that where we are all most vulnerable?

I have spent my fair share of time in waiting rooms.   Waiting is tiring.   Watching others come and go…while I am still waiting.   When we are in God’s waiting room it is for a reason.   He may be trying to speak to us.   Are we listening?   Or, have we forgotten how to listen? In this noisy world we live, do we find ourselves just listening to the roar of the world, instead of keeping our ear tuned for the calming voice of the Lord?

Do you hear….from the depths of your heart….”be still and know that I am God”…. It’s time to stop and listen. Sometimes difficulties may enter our lives to “slow us down”.   I have discovered that many times we “cover up” the voice of the Lord with busyness.   We stay so busy we have no time to spend in prayer or the Word.   Are we afraid of what He might say….or are we afraid of what He might ask us to do? I have found myself feeling this.   In discussing this with my sisters, we all seem to feel this way.   Afraid of what He might require us to do. We need to remember—He won’t ask us to do anything that He won’t guide, direct and qualify us to do.

When we finally stop and listen, however the “listening” came about, it is worth the wait.  We realize with clarity that the enemy was trying to “steal” something from us all along.   He kept our focus and attention on other things….demanding things.   But we must stop—-and listen.

Since I have been home from the hospital, I have found myself being attacked during the night—by the enemy of my soul. When I am plagued with thoughts of fear and the uncertainties of life, I try and pull as many scriptures in as I can recall, almost as if I am pulling up a comforting quilt to warm my body and soul.   A couple of my “strength verses” are, “By His stripes we are healed”; and “Greater is He that is in me, than He that is in the world”.   I have to remind myself over and over of the promises of the Father in order to get even a minute of peace.   Sleep does not come easy these days.   I cling to the promises of the Lord.   I am listening to His voice—I want to be obedient to His calling.

Jehovah-Shammah ~ the Lord is there;
Jehovah-Rophi ~ the Lord who heals; and
Jehovah-Shalom ~ the Lord is peace.

Thank you for praying for me. Keep it up. The Lord is not finished yet!

Keeping the Faith,

The Sisters

The Lord, indeed was not finished.  The blog, “Sisters of Faith”, was created on that night at the tail end of December, but the faith of the sisters began as we each accepted and loved the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.  The faith of each sister has been tested and tried in many ways throughout our individual lives…but one thing is for sure….we know without doubt, God is faithful to His promises.  And, Wanda’s testimony still reaches out.  Her faith in the Father still speaks.  There is more to her story yet to be told….

Father in heaven, I thank You for giving me Wanda. As a sister, as a friend and as an intercessory prayer warrior.  You have blessed me in countless ways.  I want to spend all of my days bringing glory to Your name.  I want to hear—what she heard on February 12th at 3:30 a.m., as she left this life—“well done—my faithful daughter—enter into My kingdom”….and I know in order to hear those words….I must do well…always striving—toward that mark.  Lord, help us all be united in striving for the goal.  Help us lead souls along the way, by testimony, by life and by love.  In Your holy name I pray~Amen.

Trusting Him,

Angie

14 thoughts on “God’s Waiting Room

  1. Denise

    This was so beautiful my friend. Your dear sister was such a precious soul, her heart was so invested in Jesus. Her candle will always burn bright through the legacy of love she left behind.

  2. BernadineBernadine

    Angie your sister has left behind a beautiful testimony of one who truly trusted God. I was blessed by this post and will continue to pray for you as you go on without your sister.

  3. LynnLynn

    Angie,

    Wow, gulp. Powerful.. I love what Wanda said about scriptures and how she pulled them upon her like a comforting blanket.

    Awesome.

  4. Darnelle

    Angie,
    I hadn’t expected you to be ‘up and around’ blog land just yet. What a great surprise for me to find you here today. Each time you write about Wanda, I am reminded of how blessed we all are to have our hope – not in this world – but the next. I can’t wait to meet her.
    Darnelle

  5. Dana

    This is a beautiful way to remember your sister. And I am blessed by it today. I know this is a difficult time for you, but sharing this with all of us is such a blessing. Thank you!!!!

  6. Connie

    That was precious… and something to cherish forever.

    as I wrote on Raw the other day…. on bearing witness — you bear witness to Wanda… to the waiting, God’s word… and this is the greatest love of all…

    Blessings my friend

  7. eph2810

    Thank you so much for sharing your sister Wanda’s devotion. It was beautiful…the ‘funny’ thing – I have had the same thoughts over and over the last couple of days – “Do I listen to You, O Lord”….am I still enough to hear His calling???? No sure yet, but I think He is guiding me.

    Thank you again for sharing this beautiful, thought inspiring post…

  8. Vicki

    My gratefulness to you for posting this – it blesses me deeply. Your testimony, as well as your sister’s, will live on.

    hugs,
    Vicki

  9. Marsha H

    It was even more special reading this time. I’m so glad you posted it over here, too.

    I love the names of God she claimed. And yes, now she can say and see that “The Lord Is Here”. He has healed her and He has given her the greatest peace.

    May the Lord continue to surround you with His compassion and grace.

    I love you dear one!

  10. Tracey

    You know- I’ve read this countless times in thepast few days… and just can’t form words to say- except Thank you for sharing this.

  11. DeAnna

    This is such a beautiful and amazing story of a life that is truly alive in others. Her life is touching mine to see that God’s does have a beautiful story for me to share and to bring souls into the Kingdom. I pray the Lord will make a away for me to come and experience one of the She Speaks Conference, nothing is to difficult for HIM.. The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seekth him”. Lamenatations 3:25.. Thank you for being a bold servant of the Lord and sharing you sisters testimony with your other sisters in Christ.. To God be all the Glory, Honor and Praise. You are bring hope to hurting souls… THANK YOU.. THANK YOU JESUS..