Wait

 In Acts Chapter 1, Jesus tells the disciples they need to stay at Jerusalem "but wait for the promise of the father."

They then ask if Christ is there to "restore the kingdom to Israel?"

Will this be the moment they've waited for?

Christ's response is in perfect alignment with his previous teachings and interactions with people.

And he said unto them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."

While there certainly things we can do or not do that influence the coming of promised blessings, the "when" isn't ours to control.

More often then not, we will be waiting.

Curious, I looked up the word origin of the word wait.  It actually comes from an Old French word that means as expected to anticipate but also to observe carefully and be watchful, to wake.

I got some crummy medical news last week.  And I've been pretty mad and discouraged.  I didn't plan for lupus to target my lungs and it has.  It makes it difficult to breathe and to do much exercise at the moment and it's been hard to see the good.  Multiple asthma attacks have been both scary and painful. And the scarring is likely permanent. 

But after reading this scripture today, I realized that this doesn't change God's promises! It might change my outlook or how that will look for me, but his promises are sure.  

And then I was able to be watchful and look carefully and begin to focus on all I still CAN do.  

And to recognize His hand.

Medications approved by insurance companies.  

Having not one medical professional, but two with Kyrie here for a few days, with me all the time.

A 2 minute lesson on empathy for breathing difficulties that taught me more than 17 years as the parent of a child with chronic lung disease did.

An appreciation for the oxygen I do get.

An increased awareness of what triggers it so that I have fewer attacks.

A friend giving me a blanket that says "I can do all things through Christ".  She was sorry she forgot it when she meant to give it to me a month ago.  I think it came at the exact right moment.

"Wait for the promise of the father."

I can do that.  One breath at a time.