I noticed something in this photo the other day that I hadn't seen before. At first glance, it simply appears as a candid shot of a man and child, but there is something happening here that merits closer attention ...Notice the posture and stance of the little guy. He isn't straining against the hand on his shoulder (or the hand would be gripping, not resting). He isn't leaning forward to get away, nor does he appear unhappy or impatient. He is relaxed, resting, and waiting for further instructions.
How unlike us most of the time! We seldom know how to stop and wait patiently. Instead, we are on the move, leaning forward into the wind, so to speak, and anxious to make headway.
Oh, how we need to be willing to wait on the Lord's instructions! All too often, we strain against His hand on our shoulder and ignore that still, small voice in our ear ... the One that quietly instructs and guides us toward still waters. We're much too tempted to run ahead and make our own way, even if we don't know where the path leads.
In this particular photo, my husband is telling our grandson to stop and wait, and he does. The occasion was a pinewood derby race with hundreds of people in a large, noisy gym. If Ethan had kept going, he would have gotten lost or run over.
Sometimes, when we continue on our meandering paths, pulling our backpacks of life behind us, we fail to notice our surroundings. There are twists in the road of life, and it's easy to lose our way. Danger may even loom nearby. If we are too busy getting where we want to go, we'll hurry ahead of the Lord and run into trouble.
How much better off we are to walk close to the Father, to listen to His voice, to respond to His touch and then wait for His instructions.
Amen Nan, we believers can take note of your little grandson's obedience. It also took trust on behalf of the little lad, trust in his "Father" It would save so much heartache, and even lives if we are always obedient! Blessings from Jo. East Africa.
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