February 11, 2020 Wait on the Lord

I went to get our mail the other day and as I stopped at the mailbox across the street, I thought I detected a small movement behind some shrubbery on the property with the burned-down house. I stood still and waited. I was about to turn back, thinking I’d just imagined it, when a deer stood up, well camouflaged, but visible. I stood still and waited some more. I’m not sure what I thought would happen – it’s not like the deer would take stock of things and then decide to step out of its hiding place so I could see it better.

I am surprised at how often my walks turn into standing stills and waitings. Sometimes I close my eyes and listen; other times I am watching for signs of a living creature. I have this naive idea that if I stand still long enough, I’ll become part of the scenery and any critter that’s hiding from me will let down its guard and come forth.

There are a lot of verses in the Bible about waiting, specifically waiting on the Lord, usually followed by a promise of some strengthening, some encouragement, some reward.

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14

But those who wait upon 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 40:31

Waiting on the Lord is not an exercise in futility. The waiting will always be met with some supply for our need, a strengthening, fresh courage, the stamina to take that next step and not faint from weariness. Wait, I say, on the Lord!

I stood out by the mailbox growing colder and wishing I’d brought my camera out with me. It occurred to me that the deer could probably wait indefinitely and not suffer any real discomfort. I moved slightly and realized I couldn’t even see it anymore. Had it gotten away? I peered into the thicket, losing heart for this contest of wills. In that moment, not one, but two deer turned and began bouncing away, their white tails waving in farewell. This was indeed a reward.

I have no photos, but can share instead a few I took yesterday after our glorious snowfall on Sunday. The first one is of the same tree top that is featured at the top of my blog.