Breakthrough

Since the time of my previous posting, I have continued to go out almost daily and hunt treasure. However, I had not even one appearance clue that panned out. I had gotten to the point that I was carrying on as a matter of disciplined determination because the joy of hunting and finding treasure had become a mere memory. Today, that changed.

Weeks ago, on the day of my initial outing, God had highlighted to me a register operator at the booth where I bought my lunch. The operator was an older woman who looked past the usual retirement age. She was missing many teeth and walked with a pronounced limp. Moreover, she was spiritually/emotionally shut down. She wouldn't make eye contact and spoke as little as possible. I strongly felt God's compassion for her and wanted to see Him somehow ease her pain and trouble.

I silently blessed her with the Father's love and continued to do so several times each week as I returned to the booth at which she works. I tried to make eye contact and ended each conversation with a spoken blessing. Today, she responded for the first time.

As I wished her a good morning or afternoon--I wasn't sure which it was--she told me it was still morning. At that point, I wished her both a pleasant morning and afternoon. She immediately made eye contact and brightened. She told me that the mall would be closed Easter Sunday and so she'd be able to attend services at the church at which her daughter works. We exchanged a few more pleasantries as I silently thanked God for her response and asked for even more. When she brought my food, I heard God tell me He wants to mend something in her life. I told her what I'd heard and promised to pray for her. She was obviously blessed.

The great thing is that I now have a relationship with her. I can anticipate being able to speak into her life several times a week for an indefinite period. Based on the change I saw, which continued manifest as she interacted with other customers, I am excited about what God is doing.

I spent my lunch almost at the point of tears, thanking God for what He's doing in response to my inadequate obedience. I knew in faith that He had been doing something every time I went out, even though I couldn't see what. It was so good--so God--of Him to show me a part of what He's doing. I'm filled with new encouragement and new determination. I pray that He will help me to look past the absence of results I expect or want, to look only at the scope and extent of my obedience to Him.

God reminded me during lunch of a Scripture He'd recently brought to mind: "in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9, KJV). I've been a farmer who hoped to reap within only a few days of planting. Working in the fields of the Lord is hard because, unlike farmers, we don't know the required growth period for our crop. God promises only that we'll reap "in due season" and keeps to Himself the timing of the rains and harvest. He alone is responsible for the growth. Our job is merely to plant the seed and tend the crop.

Lord, help me to be content in Your wisdom concerning the timing of rains and the length of seasons. Help me to respond out of love for You and obedience to You rather than any expectation regarding the timing or nature of the harvest. The harvest is Yours.