Waiting...

We're all feeling the pinch of rising costs of everything, I know. The monthly bills just keep climbing and I have a hard time seeing how it's all going to work out and balance. We look for ways to scrimp and save and it doesn't seem to be enough. We cry out, "Why is this happening to me?" And we realize it's happening to everyone, but it's hard to see past here and now and look at what's going on with your neighbor when your own plate is full with your own set of trials and hardships. And we whine. And we pray and we wait for God's hand to work. We know He is always there, watching over us and guiding us where He wants us, but we get all fussy when we don't see results right away; when we don't know what will happen a week, a month, or a year from now.

Sometimes waiting for things to happen is the hardest part - waiting for things to work out like God wants them and being afraid that it won't work out like we think it should or in a way that we're comfortable with. I guess that's where faith comes in, right? Fear is a powerful destroyer of faith and it's hard to get over that when it seems constantly in your face. But at the same time, I realize we are very blessed to be living here and now, in this country, with all our freedoms. The freedom to own our home and stay at home with the kids and go to college if we want and worship at whatever church we want to attend. Fear and uncertainty can overshadow all that. It's hard to deal with sometimes. I whine too much when I should be praying. I'm too impatient to wait. And I wonder what's wrong with me. Where is my faith?

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." -- Psalm 62:5-8