Never Late

Posted by5thgenerationgirlPosted inUncategorizedTags:

As a visitor to a small West African town, my American pastor made sure to arrive on time for a 10 a.m. Sunday service. Inside the humble sanctuary, however, he found the room empty. So he waited. One hour. Two hours. Finally, about 12:30 p.m., when the local pastor arrived after his long walk there—followed by some choir members and a gathering of friendly town people—the service began “in the fullness of time,” as my pastor later said.

“The Spirit welcomed us, and God wasn’t late.” My pastor understood the culture was different here for its own good reasons.

Time seems relative, but God’s perfect, on-time nature is affirmed throughout the Scriptures. Thus, after Lazarus got sick and died, Jesus arrived four days later, with Lazarus’ sisters asking why. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). We may think the same, wondering why God doesn’t hurry to fix our problems. Better instead to wait by faith for His answers and power.

As theologian Howard Thurman wrote, “We wait, our Father, until at last something of thy strength becomes our strength, something of thy heart becomes our heart, something of thy forgiveness becomes our forgiveness. We wait, O God, we wait.” Then, as with Lazarus, when God responds, we’re miraculously blessed by what wasn’t, after all, a delay.

Reflect: What are you waiting for God to do or provide on your behalf? How can you wait by faith?

Prayer: For You, Father, I wait. Grant me Your strength and faithful hope in my waiting.

Published by 5thgenerationgirl

Tammy Wynette is a mother of three and a “G-MA” (grandma). Born in Warren, Arkansas, she currently resides in Sacramento, CA and is pursuing an AA degree in English at American River College, with plans to transfer to California State University, Sacramento (Sac State). She is an active leader and role model in her community, she works with teens sharing and teaching poetry, as well as providing insight for young parents to prosper. She has certificate from NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is a trailblazer & Griot, keeper of stories/traditions passed down from her ancestors. As an Author and motivational speaker it’d be an honor to present at your events to inspire, encourage & let our VOICES be heard! She has short stories and poems published in Our Black Mothers Brave, Bold and Beautiful!

15 thoughts on “Never Late”

  1. Pingback: Never Late – Tonya LaLonde

  3. Waiting for a life outside this glass cage, unmocked, respected for my social contributions. Far more likely I will be herded with the coming uprush of homeless to my doom among them. Waiting in prayerful meditation.

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  4. Isaiah 55 vs 10-11 has comforted me this week. God’s word will not return to him void until it prospers in the thing for which it was sent. Ours is to wait on His promises, considering that we have also done what is required of us.

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  6. This is an interesting one to ponder and reflect on. I guess for me it’s knowing that things work out as they should that gives me continued faith.

    Hope the storms have calmed over where you are Tammy.

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  8. Pingback: ReBlogging ‘Never Late’ – Link Below | Relationship Insights by Yernasia Quorelios

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