Stepping Stones: Don’t Leave At Intermission!

Transformational Thought

Some children take off sooner and faster than others. I come from a very large family…my siblings were all very different from each other. I particularly recall the trouble my eldest brother had getting off the ground. Poor grades…dropping out of school a number of times…a street fighter…always in some type of significant trouble. My parents tried as best they could to raise him to greater heights, but nothing seemed to work. If the race had ended then, he would have been judged a loser…a failure.

Are you a parent of a low-flying child? Let me pass on a word of encouragement. That brother made a shift in his early twenties and is now, by anyone’s standards, a high-flying success. Husband in a healthy marriage, father of a great family, master’s degree, and business owner. Most importantly, he is a man of deep faith who always finds time to let the Lord’s light shine onto those around him. At 61 years of age, he holds the admiration and praise of all his siblings.

Too often, we put premature finish lines on situations…judging them before all the data is in. God isn’t bound by time, is incredibly patient, is all-powerful, and has a flair for the dramatic, especially with timing. Don’t fall into Satan’s trap of judging yourself, others, circumstances, or especially God, prematurely. You will be disappointed and lose out on many “miracles” of life.

Today, if you feel like a failure, or are disappointed, anxious, sad, or fearful, examine whether you are imposing a premature finish line on a situation. This puts God in a box and closes the curtain on the play at intermission. Realize there is more of the show, game, path, or race left and seek God’s guidance for the next phase. If you follow Him, trust Him, and practice patience, He will reveal a glorious second act in the drama you were ready to leave prematurely. Your decision, choose well.

Prayer
Dear Father God, I pray that all parents reading this devotional receive from You wisdom and patience as they raise their children. Help them to trust Your providence and grace, and to let go of their timelines for their children’s lives. Help us all use Your Son as an example as You patiently waited for His time to come. Father, help them listen to You and obey You in this great calling of being a parent. Then in all areas, help us grow in patience. Help us to see Your big picture, not to prematurely judge the small picture of our life and bail on You and Your plan for us. I pray in the name of the most patient One, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
“My time has not yet come."
John 2:4

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they 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 40:30,31