For Those Who Wait

Here is an audio version of the blog read in my own voice.

For Those Who Wait …..

“ … but those 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.”

Isaiah 40:31 NRSV

“ I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

This is for those of you who know what it means to wait. You spend precious time waiting on and with others.

You wait with them as they wade through moments of uncertainty, exhaustion, grief and the unknown.

You understand the ministry of presence through waiting and intentional listening.

You understand that waiting is a part of ministry. Life requires moments of waiting, those unexpected and often unwanted pauses that may seem to stop the journey.

You comfort others in these multiple moments of waiting.

You know what it means to wait …

You are present and are with them in the waiting. In the midst of these waits, you have accompanied

others and watched as they have released weights. You accompany them through their journeys.

This prayer is for those of you who know what it means to wait. It is dedicated to the ones who spend time waiting on and with others.

The Creator spends precious time waiting on and with YOU. The Creator is present and with YOU in the waiting as YOU wade through moments of uncertainty, exhaustion, grief and the unknown.

This prayer is a reminder that YOU are accompanied and covered in prayer as YOU wait.

May YOU receive moments to refuel in the midst of waits.

May YOU be given an opportunity to release some weight while YOU wait.

Remember that YOU are accompanied by the One who understands the ministry of presence and intentional listening.

YOU are accompanied by the One who will never leave you and will wait with YOU.

Rev. Sheila P. Spencer

This is my contribution to the “Prayers and Blessing for Healthcare Workers” Devotional. Click link below to purchase

https://www.churchpublishing.org/prayersandblessingsforhealthcareworkersfbclid=IwAR1qIECh7QZGp8y22ysg43Elod8Qq_WZ_BUtoMtNaOXdWprdQtA9y9MkfdA

So Close that I couldn't see ...

There are so many lessons right in front of us when we remember to pause and not rush.

It was a Sunday morning, and I was having a conversation with my friend out on my deck , which overlooks a lake. Water is calming for me , and I realized that I don’t spend as much time as I should just taking in the view. I pointed out the schools of fish as they swam back and forth…. I’ve seen the fish several times. It was peaceful….

Then my friend said “Look at the sea turtles” ….. and I was stunned. I had never noticed that sea turtles were in the lake.

Right in front of me and I never noticed.

We spent the next several moments immersed in watching the sea turtles. I kept wondering how these sea turtles were right in front of me, and it was only when I took the time to be still, that I could see. It’s as if turtles were appearing from out of of nowhere.

As we watched them flow at their own pace and space, I googled the symbolism of turtles and what they represented.

Turtles represent intuitive development, longevity, strength, courage, protection, wisdom, patience, determination, and receptivity. They can show up in life when you are in the process of syncing up the pace of your intuitive insights with your physical manifestations. The timing of the turtles’ appearance was perfect. The sea turtles were preaching to me.

The turtle sculpture that was right in front of me, and when I took the time to slow down, I was able to see. Turtle wisdom.

As we entered back into the house, I noticed this small sculpture tucked away at the corner ….. something else that had been there all along …. It was just another reminder … There are so many lessons right in front of us if we remember to take time to pause and not rush.

Sea Turtle Wisdom Sermon Notes:

• Travel at your own pace

• Stay calm under pressure

• Trust the flow

• Be comfortable in your own shell

• Enjoy time alone

• Keep moving forward

Simple observation … deep lesson

Turtle Wisdom and it was right in front of me,

Sheila

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