WAIT

Don't we all love to hear Jesus answer us with "wait?" That little word with so much impact -- makes me want to scream sometimes! There are times I wish Jesus would tell me "yes" or "no." It would be so much easier to deal with -- and move on, if necessary. Yet, He still tells me to wait (sometimes using the gentler version - "Just hold on.). And so I wait...not always with the patience I should.
My roommate Emily & I were discussing this a few weeks ago. She shared a poem with me that had recently been shared with her. I hope it blesses & encourages you as much as it has me...and helps you to see the value of "wait."

WAIT
by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
the Master so gently said, "Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!"
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to Wait?"
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.
Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still "WAIT."

Celebrity Sighting

Nashville is a really cool town to live in. The vibe of the city is very trendy -- reminds me a bit of Austin, with all the music influence. It's a city, but still has a bit of small town feel. Maybe a Fort Worth without Dallas? But by far, one of the greatest things about Nashville is the celebrity sightings. I've had a few since I've been here, but they have mostly been at work, not just out & about in the city. (I'm not counting College GameDay in this either...that was an intentional sighting.)
But tonight, I hit the jackpot. I went to see "Bride Wars" with some girlfriends. (Sidenote: It's hilarious! Go see it with your girlfriends!) We were standing in line to get our tickets, and who walks past? KEITH URBAN & NICOLE KIDMAN! Even here in Nashville, where celebrity sightings are the norm, there's something different about seeing them than any other celebrity. Probably because Nicole is a movie star, not just another country singer. She is strikingly beautiful, even with her hair thrown up in a messy bun. And once you get past looking at her, you see just how hot Keith really is.
So tonight definitely is up there on my best Nashville moments list. And I'll always remember the date too because it's my mom's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!!