This past Sunday night, our Small Group wrapped up our study of the Book of James. We spent some time discussing James 5:7 & 8 "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."
Our small group leader shared with us some facts he learned about farmers, to help us better understand this passage and the "art" of waiting and being patient. Here are those insights and in paranthesis, how we were convicted as to how the patience of the farmer applies to our (impatiently) waiting for our referral:
He waits with a reasonable hope; and expectation of reward (we know that one of these days we will get "the call")
He waits a long time (yep, sure feels like it)
He waits working all the while (we are trying very hard to keep on with day to day life and not get caught up in "the wait"...easier said than done)
He waits depending on things out of his own power; with his eye on the heavens (we know this is out of our hands, and we cry out to God in heaven)
He waits despite changing circumstances and many uncertainties (see recent posts about the adoption situation and Ethiopia)
He waits encouraged by the value of the harvest (we know the value of our child in God's eyes is more than we can conceive)
He waits encouraged by the work and harvest of other farmers (Praise God for other adoptive families who remind us of the blessings in store)
He waits because he really has no other option (yep)
He waits because it does no good to give up (that's right)
He waits aware of how the seasons work (and the winds of adoption referrals)
He waits because as time goes on, it becomes more important and not less to do so (correct - the waiting on God becomes more and more important)
So, here we are, approaching Mother's Day and waiting.....learning.....praying.....hoping.....sometimes crying.....but trying to be like the farmer and know that everything has a season. To God be the Glory!
