Airports and Healing and Waiting.

Here I sit.

Waiting...

Waiting...

Waiting...

My flight has been rerouted multiple times and so I sit here waiting.

I'll confess I've always loved airports. From the tacky travel pillows to the traveling snacks consumed to the rainbow variety of coloured outfits and bags to the assortment of fellow travellers that I am honoured to watch for free entertainment!

I sit here with everyone else, as we wait.

Ironically, I've done a lot of waiting in my life. Maybe you have too? The old saying states, "the best is yet to come for those who wait."

So, what are you waiting for?

Maybe your waiting for...

• ·      Restoration in a relationship.
• ·      Financial security or simply freedom from debt.
• ·      Physical healing or even a hopeful diagnosis.
• ·      Dreams that only appear to be dreams.

I've been waiting for nine years.

It was one innocent blow to the sternum that changed everything. I recall my competitive nature exploded, as I sprinted back to prevent her from completing a lay up. Her forceful elbow came as a sheer surprise to my delicate teenage sternum. I was gasping for air and than that sudden and unforgettable shearing pain.

One blow. One accident. One moment.

Waiting...

The ER doctor ran his cold fingers upon my spine and eventually said, "You’re active and will heal with time. But, your back will always be out of alignment due to the nature of the accident, which is evident in the x-rays."

Waiting for healing...

He never mentioned the headaches that would follow over the years. Furthermore, he didn't outline the years of searching for that empty promise of healing.

Waiting made me doubt.

Waiting made me frustrated.

Waiting made me question if this would define my life.

Ironically, it was easier to speak into the doubt and frustration before ever simply believing in God's healing. I couldn’t fathom how to simply “be still and know [believe] that I am God [the healer]” (Psalm 46:10).

Smack, spike, set!

I was rigidly trying to hold back the tears with each movement towards the volleyball. The gym resounded with such active energy, yet my body fought the pain.

Enough!

The tears released like a ragging flood, as I drove home. I didn't want to wait any longer for what was once promised. Truthfully, I wanted HEALING! Could I demand it from God? And I aggressively yelled, "HEALING." I forgot that I had a passenger and than she softly responded, "you can....it's possible."

I doubted. Possible, after nine years of waiting?

She instructed me, "lay down and I will pray." Her warm hands ran along my spine, as she declared healing upon my body.

One bold prayer. One deep desire. One prolonged period of waiting.

I awoke the next morning and felt something for the very first time in nine years.  To my surprise, I ran my fingers upon a perfectly aliened spine!

Waiting is a period of time that I might not fully understand the length or the duration or the situation or even the interruptions. But like everything in life, waiting is a gift. It's one gift that I choose to celebrate.

You may be waiting...

Don't be discouraged or doubtful, rather I challenge you to celebrate this specific time of waiting.

Celebrate...

           Celebrate...

                     Celebrate...

For myself, it's time to celebrate healing, the waiting is done....

And the overhead announcement declares, "This is the final boarding call for Westjet flight #119."

It's time to fly, the waiting is done for today....

Charlene

P.S. And as you wait may you listen to "Be Still" by Bethel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAPpunj-dMM