My family and I went camping this past weekend. Upon arriving on Friday evening, we were delighted to discover that on our campsite (which was right next to the bay and connected to the ocean) was a miniature dock. It was refreshing to be able to sit and dip our feet in the cool water.
My grandfather, whom we call "Poppy," provided the lot for us as well as the camper. It was heavenly compared to the tent camping we did when I was younger. My dad says that you have never been a true camper until you have slept in a hot nylon tent on a plastic air mattress several nights in a row. My dad is too funny. :-)
Anyway, back to my story. Poppy brought his fishing gear with him and my younger sister, Makaya, was more than enthusiastic to make good use of it. She planned to wake up bright and early the next morning to start her fishing adventure. Around 7:15am (since mom had her go back to sleep around 5:15am), she woke up ready to start fishing. There was one problem: it was raining outside. As the day progressed, the rain fell harder. Amazingly, being the wonderfully persistent girl my little sister is, fished all morning and periodically throughout the day, searching for her first fish.
Sunday morning came, the rain clouds dissipated and the beautiful sun shone brightly in the morning sky. Upon finishing morning devotions together as a family, Makaya closed us in prayer saying, "Thank you God for this day and this devotion. Please help us have a great day, and please let me catch at least one fish, in Jesus' Name, Amen." We all smiled at her and thought (or at least I did) how cute and innocent her prayer was. Simple, honest, and to the point.
Everyone went about their business while mom and I sat on the couch in the camper (again, it's so nice to have air conditioning while camping). :-) and watched Makaya through the camper window. How cute she looked, standing on the dock, the hot dog-baited fishing pole in one hand and a fishing net in the other.
This picture of my sister made me think, "How many times do I want or "need" something from God? How impatient do I become, complaining about how He's 'taking too long' to answer my questions and pleas?" In reality, all I need to do is be persistent and anticipate, waiting for Him to show up and trust that He will answer me in His perfect timing. Just because I have my "line" or prayer "in", doesn't mean He's going to immediately answer. It takes time, effort, and patience on my end. Even though fish weren't biting my sister's line, it doesn't mean there weren't any fish to catch. Similarly, God may not be answering right away, but that does not mean He's not there. On the contrary, He is!
So, approximately five minutes after contemplating these thoughts my mom and I hear Makaya gleefully screaming, "Daddy! Daddy! Come quickly!" A nice-size fish was dangling from my sister's pole. Her face was priceless as she proudly showed off her first catch. After all of that waiting, her prayers were answered and her desire was fulfilled. It was an incredible moment, not just for her, but surprisingly to me as well--one that I will not easily forget.
By the end of the day, with some help from dad and Poppy, Makaya caught about 17 more fish. God blessed her efforts of wating patiently, and in the same way, does the same for us.
The Bible says in Matthew 18:3, "And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
God is always listening and ready to move in our life. We need to anticipate Him, faithfully praying, persistently waiting, and always trusting and having faith in Him. Blessings are always sure to follow if we will just wait and anticipate our Heavenly Father.
"Wait for the Lord; Be strong,and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." -Psalm 27:14
Be Blessed!
-Morgan
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