Books, Bicycles, and Time

Dear Reader,

Although technically it is 18 minutes past Christmas in good ol' Central Time...Merry Christmas to all :)

So, this entry coming to you at, yet again, a late and very odd hour of the night is because of the decision to not watch a movie as I originally planned, and instead read this book that I've had in hand all break that was gradually starting to collect dust. This was not going to happen on my watch. Elisabeth Elliot in her book Passion and Purity kept me going for a while. I was flying through this book like none other until one particular thing she said stuck out to me and decided to take hold of my heart as well as my vivid imagination, and give me a whirlwind of excitement all the the same time.

"The bicycle given for Christmas will not be prized like the bicycle bought with the money earned by delivering newspapers for three years (147)."

(The Christmas reference...was definitely not intended dear reader. I just realized it myself as I was writing it)

Anyways, the first thing I pictured was a bike. Obviously. My mind went reeling on the two different scenarios that she mentioned. The first scenario: A child that receives a bike for Christmas. I saw the typical image of the parents taking their child out to the garage and wa la! A brand new bike. There is much screaming of excitement and endless hugs and kisses of thanks.

Then there is scenario number two. Yes, who knows how long it's been since I've seen someone deliver a newspaper, but go along with me dear reader. A kid walking from house to house throwing the same paper, to the same doorsteps he's been throwing them on for years. It's hot outside, the day has come and gone, and upon his arrival home, as he goes to throw his wages into his drawer, he realizes that it landed a little closer to the top than usual. There wasn't the usual rattling of change at the bottom. He takes out his can of wages and counts. Slowly but surely , the anticipation builds when finally the last dollar is set upon his bed comforter, confirming his completed savings for the bike he'd been wanting. I started to see him slowly but surely carry that money to the counter the next day. He'd been guarding it with all he had until he reached the store. Asking the store manager to take him to the bike, he does all he can to hide his joy from exploding into a thousand different directions. Year after year came down to the one moment, where he rode down the street, throwing the same newspaper, to the same doorsteps, proud to start all over again.

I did not intend for this entry to be about a child receiving a bike. Please know though that the second scenario (if you couldn't tell) was much more fun an enjoyable for me to simply write than the first. Why? I could understand how that boy felt waiting all that time. Who hasn't gone through something like that? I don't know about you dearest reader, but there are many things in which I am waiting on an answer or confirmation from God about. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. I almost want to get that feeling like I would sitting in my car waiting on a horrendously long light to change. But, my heart will not allow such a thing to happen.

I have written this entry to you dear reader not to say that whatever is being waited for is the most fulfilling part...but there is fulfillment, beauty, excitement, mystery, and anticipation in the waiting itself. I imagine many things in life would be very, very boring if they were simply handed to me at my beck and call. If there was no work to be done, or time to pass in whatever was to come, the joy would be stifled at the result. I believe that is one thing God has yet again shown me that I have previously failed to see. The things He has told me, I wish I could convey them all to you, dear reader, but I would be as David in not being able to, "...recite all of [His] wonderful deeds (Psalm 40:5)." But when He showed me a few of those things I've said, "Wait a minute God, aren't you going to finish? There's an answer to this right?"

His answer, "Yes."
Exactly what it may be He hasn't show me...


yet.

"And so, lord, where do I put my hope? My hope is only in you."- Psalm 30:7
And so, it is. My hope is in Him for whatever is to come, but I will not be idle, bitter, or weary as I wait. Instead, dear reader, my hope and my all will be in Him.

God Bless and once again, Merry Christmas,

JB