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TITLE: In His Time | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pauline Carruthers
12/04/14
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In His Time

A folding table has replaced my desk in front of the study window; a makeshift rickety chair my temporary seat. Though it’s only late afternoon the sky is already lowering a soft grey blanket across yellowed fields and a fine December rain squeezes gently through the mist. Another delay makes my heart droop like the aged pine trees bending in winter sleep over the driveway.

“When is it going to happen Lord? Why all these delays? It’s been two long years since Your promise.”

His silence deafens me as I reach out and activate my I-pod. A haunting melody tenderly wraps around my soul and a gloriously husky voice penetrates through the mists of doubt. ‘May all my hallelujah’s be multiplied.’ Stirrings of praise begin deep within my soul, rising higher and higher. Eyes closed I allow my heart free will and my whole body melts into worship. My hands reach up to clasp His and He multiplies my hallelujah’s, as I soar like an eagle. When I open my eyes, darkness has descended; a sliver of silver moon rests suspended in a velvet sky.

‘Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour.’ (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV)

Without the Lord, the above would be a hopeless situation and there are times when maybe we all feel we have reached a hopeless situation. Yet He is always there to turn tears of sadness into rivers of overwhelming joy and worship, when in the midst of trouble, praise stirs the soul.

In 2012 the Lord called my husband home and a severely decreased income forced me to put our home on the market. Despite repeated prayers there was no sign of a sale. All through that year, as finances dwindled, there was never a night that I didn’t fall asleep without His assurance that He was working all things together for my good. Sometimes there was a simple, trusting peace beyond all circumstances and understanding. Other times a crescendo of praise and worship that Jesus wrung from my soul, with a loving word, a song, a verse of Scripture. His constant reminders of times past when He had taught me to trust Him, sustained my hope of a solution.

After twelve months He sent a buyer, but delays and overheads swallowed up time and savings. Another year passed. During this time I believe the Lord led me to put in an offer on an apartment in a small seaside town where we used to live. It wasn’t what I had in mind, but the minute I walked through the door I couldn’t suppress the incredible joy that unexpectedly erupted from my soul. I knew I had to put in an offer on the spot. Then, because of the long delays with my sale, the apartment was put back on the market. Feelings of devastation threatened, but Jesus showed me that the joy of the Lord is my strength.

In his final days my husband shared that the Lord had revealed to him that, for me, all things would come together for good and God’s timing would be perfect. During this waiting time my family have drawn closer to the Lord and I am trusting for their salvation. This was surely part of God’s plan and I can move with peace in my heart that all is well with family.

Jesus tells us, ’Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).

The sale and purchase are nearing completion. I sit on my temporary, rickety old chair, surrounded by packed boxes, gazing out of the study window, watching as three beautiful red kites fly overhead, outstretched wings soaring on currents of air. My spirit rises to soar with them.

Gratitude fills my heart, not only for deliverance, but for those troubled times when Jesus reaches into the soul and from the depths of sadness and sorrow, brings to light the precious hidden jewels of praise and worship.

‘May all my hallelujah’s be multiplied’. Amen and Amen.

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