"Hope deferred makes the heart sick but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12
There is a hope I'm holding onto right now that is currently deferred. In a sense, I am left in the waiting room with legs crossed, bouncing the top one to the rhythm of the sadly mediocre music. I'm flipping through the magazines gazing at the pictures and articles but not really taking them in. My mind is elsewhere. My mind is on the "what if" rather than the what is.
In the midst of the waiting and the hoping, the verse above ran through my mind like the unending pleas of my 2-year-old for "cake, Mommy, cake!" It was as if the Lord was saying "Lauren, pay attention. Turn yourself towards me. Hear what I have to say. Hear what MY desire is for you."
So I turned and this is what I heard.
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."
Okay. I get it. My heart feels sick because my hope is deferred. And when I get what I want, I'll be happy. Makes sense. No grand revelation here.
But...(a very beautiful "but" I might add)...is there a place I can put my hope that it is never deferred? Sure, I may not get what I think I want or need...but is there something better I can get?
And Psalm 42:5 answered me...
"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."
Indeed, there is a better hope. There is a place I can put my hope that is never deferred. Though I may not get what I think I want or need, instead I get Him. He is a hope that is never deferred.
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14 comments:
I know that feeling. I love you and I am praying for you.
Love,
Keri
What a good word. Thanks for sharing that.
I totally know that waiting room sort of feeling too! I'm so glad God has brought you that verse to comfort you. :)
I so needed to hear these words. Although I don't really know you, so I don't know your specific hope, I do have hopes of my own that are deferred right now. I'm working so hard - with an awesome Christian counselor - to put my hopes in Him alone. He's all we need! And the cool thing about the word deferred - it just means later - in His timing - perfect timing. I really believe that true desires of the heart are placed there by Him. He knows. And He knows best!
Thanks Lauren, for sharing what's on your heart. You and Matt are such a blessing to us Village people! :-)
We are "strangers" but sisters in Christ. I completely agree with your comment here! For more on this theme, have you read Shattered Dreams: God's Unexpected Pathway to Joy by Larry Crabb? It is all about the "better Hope" being Jesus Christ Himself.
Mar,
Haven't read that book but sounds like a great read. Thank you for the suggestion!
~Lauren
love you.
Wow. Thanks for that. I may have to put this little post in my PDA to carry around with me like I do my Steps. You are a blessing.
PRAYING, PRAYING, AND PRAYING!!!
lauren.
thanks for writing this post. it really spoke to me today. let's just say that i needed to hear these words.
This was my exact verse:) Love you. Can't wait to catch up.
I love you.....
Thank you. Your struggles, which I cannot relate, are helping me. Our God is strong, our hope in Him will never be deferred.
right where you are, sister! beautiful word.
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