Craig Clouston

 

Wait…Stand Still

May 23

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Looking up from making sandwiches, Judy glanced out the kitchen window just in time to see her son, Jason, get slammed to the ground in a game of ‘backyard’ football. Half way to the door, intending to ‘save’ her son, the Holy Spirit ‘checked’ her, “Wait…stand still.” So she waited…and watched.

Tall and willowy, Jason looked fragile in comparison to his much larger peers. She watched as he tried once more to block the boy across from him. An involuntarily gasp escaped her as the boy flattened Jason on his way to the quarterback. Still, the Holy Spirit said, “Wait.”

As Jason got to his feet, Judy realized she’d been holding her breath. In turmoil, she watched as the next play developed. Oddly, Judy sensed something remarkable was about to happen, peace settled over her. As the center snapped the ball Jason faked his block, spun, and went out for a pass. Judy watched as the quarterback threw a perfect spiral toward the end zone. Running at full speed, Jason caught the ball and pulled it in. He was immediately tackled, but not before momentum carried him across the goal line for the touchdown! The hard hit didn’t seem to faze him in the least as he jumped up holding the ball aloft in victory. The Holy Spirit whispered, “Okay. Now you can go tell them lunch is ready.”

†

Had Judy gone out earlier she would have embarrassed Jason in front of his friends, robbing him of self-esteem and confidence. He would have lost the opportunity to succeed against overwhelming odds, and been kept from finding out what he was capable of. And as hard as it is to watch our children get knocked around by the world, there are times we should ‘wait’.

Jesus said we will have trouble. He also said He can deliver peace in the midst of it all; peace that will give a mother pause to allow her child to run faster, jump higher, and succeed against serious opposition; peace that ‘waits’ while the remarkable happens.

Prayer

“Lord, it’s hard, as You know, to watch your children be mistreated by the world. Show me when it’s okay to interrupt and call them to lunch, or when to ‘Wait’. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”