Volume 9, Issue 1 - allgloriouswithin.org 9, ISSUE 1 All Glorious Within ... The Joys and Trials of...

VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1VOLUME 9, ISSUE 1

All Glorious Within

FFRUITRUIT OFOF THETHE S SPIRITPIRIT, P, PARTART F FOUROUR

~ Patience ~JANUARY-APRIL 2014

IN THIS ISSUE:

Other Features on Patience:

Scriptures

Poems

Quotes

Devotionals

Patienceby Cara Harness & Lisa Bode

All the Way My Saviour Leads Me: A Courtship Story

by Judith Waldner

You'll Have to Waitby Heather Martin

A publication to inspire Christian young ladies in their walk with Christ

The Joys and Trials of Patienceby Chelsey Klassen

GOD: The Sourceof Our PATIENCE

by Trishia Plett

Waiting on the Lordby Michelle Stauss

“The King's daughter is all glorious within . . .” Psalm 45:13

Esther/Taylor Lang

All Glorious Within: Volume 9, Issue 1 (January-April 2014) ~ Fruit of the Spirit: “Patience”

About All Glorious WithinAll Glorious Within is a publication for Christian

young ladies that began in January 2006. It is compiled, edited, and published three times per year by Karissa Hiebert. Co-editors are Abe and Bernice Hiebert, who approve and improve each issue, giving many suggestions and much valued advice.

We welcome new subscribers! If you have friends or relatives that might be interested in receiving All Glorious Within, you may request brochures or sample issues for them. Free brochures available upon request. Gift certificates also available.

Our MissionOur goal is to provide conservative, wholesome

reading material to inspire girls in their Christian walk, endeavoring to maintain the centrality of Jesus Christ. If you have questions or concerns, please let us know personally about them. Suggestions are appreciated!

If you come across anything in All Glorious Within that is unBiblical, opinionated, or does not pass the tests of Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 2:8, please let us know about it. (Note that we do not necessarily endorse every word of each article.)

This issue of this publication has been approved by the co-editors, my parents (Abe and Bernice Hiebert).

SubmissionsWe gladly welcome submissions . . . please send

articles, poetry, testimonies, reviews, homemaking tips, recipes, wedding/baby announcements, and other such contributions! We do not publish advertisements.

All submissions must be approved by the co-editors (editor’s parents), and we ask that everything submitted be honoring to the Lord, based on the Word of God, and corresponding to Philippians 4:8. Please include information such as titles, authors, and publishers’ information, where applicable. Thank you.

Submission Deadline for Next Issue:July 21, 2014 or August 31, 2014

Contact InformationBox 2

Lowe Farm, MBR0G 1E0

1 (204) [email protected]

~ Website ~

www.allgloriouswithin.org

Back Issues AvailableTo help cover costs of printing and postage, please include

a donation with your order if possible. Thank you! Note – some issues may not be available.Christian Chronicle (previous publication, 3-column format):Volume 2, Issue 3: Infatuation vs. Integrity Volume 2, Issue 4: Home Life Volume 2, Issue 5: Humility All Glorious Within (3-column format):Volume 1, Issue 1: Speech All Glorious Within (Magazine format):Volume 1, Issue 2: Hospitality, Thriftiness, CreativityVolume 1, Issue 3: Boldness, Enthusiasm, Initiative Volume 1, Issue 4: Sensitivity, Sincerity Volume 2, Issue 1: Discretion, DiscernmentVolume 2, Issue 2: Reverence, Deference, ToleranceVolume 2, Issue 3: VirtueVolume 2, Issue 4: Neatness, Orderliness, PunctualityVolume 3, Issue 1: Faithful Time StewardshipVolume 3, Issue 2: Honesty, Integrity, TrustworthinessVolume 3, Issue 3: Perseverance, Endurance, DiligenceVolume 3, Issue 4: Responsibility, Dependability, ConsistencyVolume 4 Issue 1: Missions (Special Issue)Volume 4, Issue 2: Determination, Purpose, CourageVolume 5, Issue 1: Gratefulness, AppreciationVolume 5, Issue 2: His StrengthVolume 5, Issue 3: Trials, Afflictions (Special Issue)Volume 6, Issue 1: Compassion, Care, MercyVolume 6, Issue 2: Submission, Honor, RespectVolume 6, Issue 3: Security, Confidence, StabilityVolume 7, Issue 1: ContentmentVolume 7, Issue 2: A Kept HeartVolume 7, Issue 3: WisdomFruit of the Spirit Series:Volume 8, Issue 1: LoveVolume 8, Issue 2: JoyVolume 8, Issue 3: Peace

2 For contact information, please see inside cover. For subscription rates, please see back cover (page 28).


FEATURES THIS ISSUE 3WAITING (Author Unknown) 3LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 4LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK

(A Daily Light devotional) 4THE JOYS AND TRIALS OF PATIENCE

(by Chelsey Klassen) 5YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT

(A devotional by Heather Martin) 6GOD: THE SOURCE OF OUR PATIENCE

(by Trishia Plett) 7THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LONGSUFFERING

(A Daily Light devotional) 10VARIOUS QUOTES 10PATIENCE (by Cara Harness & Lisa Bode) 11TEACH ME TO WAIT (Poem) 13SCRIPTURES ON PATIENCE 14RUN WITH PATIENCE (A Daily Light devotional) 17ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOUR LEADS ME:

A Courtship Story (by Judith Waldner) 18HAPPY WHICH ENDURE (Daily Light devotional) 26WAITING ON THE LORD (by Michelle Stauss) 27WAIT ON THE LORD (A Daily Light devotional) 27NEXT ISSUE'S THEME, SUBSCRIPTION INFO 28A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

This issue's photo (Peaches) was submitted by Esther Lang of Brussels, WI. Set up by Esther (21), photo taken by her brother Taylor (18). [Ages current as of July 2013]

f I have not the patience of my Sav-iour with souls who grow slowly; if I

know little of travail (a sharp and painful thing) till Christ be fully formed in them, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” A ~ Amy Carmichael ~~ Amy Carmichael ~

“I

f I asked to be delivered from a trial rather than for deliverance out of

it, to the praise of His glory; if I forget that the way of the cross leads to the cross and not to a bank of flowers; if I regulate my life on these lines, or even unconsciously my thinking, so that I am surprised when the way is rough and think it strange, though the word is, 'Think it not strange,' 'Count it all joy,' then I know nothing of Calvary love.” A ~ Amy Carmichael ~~ Amy Carmichael ~

“I

For contact information, please see inside cover. For subscription rates, please see back cover (page 28). 3

WaitingAuthor Unknown

Features this Issue


reetings in the name of our King and welcome to the 27th issue of All Glorious

Within . . . and the fourth issue in our Fruit of the Spirit series! ☺ We are still accepting fruit photos and any submissions you may have – articles, poems, recipes, stories, and more.

G

I was to go to Bolivia from mid-May to mid-August, as a nurse in a mission clinic there; we therefore decided to put this issue out late, as well as the next. As of this printing, it is possible I will be leaving at the end of summer instead, so we may try to get the next issue in your mailboxes in August. Nothing is finalized yet as of this printing, but the final outcome will determine the deadline for submissions for the next issue, as well as when it will be published.

Our next theme is Kindness/Goodness, two in one issue. Kindness: The word used in the KJV is “gentleness,” and according to the Strong's Concordance, the Greek word used means, “usefulness, that is, moral excellence (in character or demeanor): - gentleness, good (-ness), kindness.” Because there is already the fruit of “goodness” and because meekness includes “gentleness,” I chose to use “kindness.” Goodness: Due to goodness being a somewhat vague and overlapping theme (and therefore it being a little harder to compile an entire issue from it), I chose to combine it with kindness. The concordance explains the word for goodness as: “goodness, that is, virtue or beneficence.” This overlaps with a previous issue, Volume 2, Issue 3 (“Virtue”).

Forbearance, fortitude, endurance, longsuf-fering . . . There are so many aspects to patience,

and this issue looks at some variations of our theme. Whether patience with your siblings, forbearance with trying people, endurance through difficult times, or whatever else your need, may you be able to glean blessings from this issue. A

~ Karissa

Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

ow for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold tempta-

tions: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.–We glory in tribulations: . . . knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.

N

It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.–Ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.–Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts. AA ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

JAMES 1:4. I PET. 1:6-7.–ROM. 5:3-4. LAM. 3:26.–HEB. 10:34-36.–II THESS. 2:16-17.

A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A From Daily Light on the Daily Path, September 25, Morning.


Letter from the Editor


Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:9

t’s funny how patience can seem so easy sometimes till we want

something right now, and then how fast we tend to grow impatient and lose hope quickly when God's promises and His rescue seem slow in coming.

I

It is so important to under-stand God's sense of time. We seem to want problems to be sorted out quickly – like today, tomorrow, or next week, at the very latest. However, God's plans operate not just over days or weeks, but over years, and sometimes centuries. I mean, look at Abraham and Sarah – how long didn’t they have wait for their son Isaac? Or Jacob and how long he waited and worked for Rachel, and then the disappointment he must have felt when he found out he got the wrong sister!!!

Next year seems so long or too far off in the distant future, and sometimes we have a hard time adapting to God's timeline, especially in our society when we're always so busy and always on the go; we start to feel like life is simply passing us by and that we are missing out. It can be very hard to just sit back, take that big dose of patience, and let God work.

Sometimes we tend to rush ahead and do things our own way, and when we do that, we end up missing out on a potential amazing blessing that God has been trying to prepare us for! Yes, it may take a lot longer than we want, but we can look at that as a time for positive growth and opportunities to serve and to be a true

witness for the glory of God.Waiting patiently does not

mean we cannot long for something. Longing does not

mean that we are being impatient, but it should mean that we have the right goal and that we are eager to reach it by submitting ourselves to God, and when we do that what an incredible future awaits us! For if it comes from God it is always worth the wait!!! A

Chelsey (22) currently resides in southern Alberta where she works as a health care aide in a nursing home. She

has 5 sisters, 2 brothers, and 3 nieces. Editor's note: Our family has known Chelsey for almost 9 years. I think she is very qualified to write what she wrote in this article because she patiently waited many years for my brother! ☺ Lord willing, they are to be married this summer.


The Joys and Trials

of PatienceA A A A A A A

by Chelsey Klassen

...if it comes from God it is always worth the wait!!!


READ: Psalm 145:14-17

t's strawberry season again! Big, red, and juicy – what could taste better

in the spring than fresh berries? Lift the leaves to find the cluster, however, and temptation will stare you in the face. You'll see a berry, still pink, but big enough to make your tastebuds quiver. Will you pick it?

I

Take a moment to compare half-ripe straw-berries with truly ripe ones. Light strawberries may reach great sizes, but they will usually swell if left to ripen. The color of a half-ripe strawberry may be a tempting pink, but a ripe one is startlingly red. A pink strawberry will have a distinct flavor. But how does a scarlet strawberry taste? It is tangy with spring's fresh juicy air, juice with its rain, and sweet as the sunshine!

Reason dictates that you pick only fully ripened strawberries. But you'll have to wait. It takes time for the sunshine and warm air to ripen them.

Other fruit requires time to ripen also. Perhaps you must be sixteen to get your driver's license. Seventeen to attend Bible school. Eighteen for courtship. Twenty for volunteer service in Guatemala. The fruit may be delicious, but you'll have to wait!

Maybe you're a little impatient with life. It seems like right now would be a good time to serve the Lord in volunteer service, teaching school, or serving in some other capacity. Your age or circumstances staunchly block the way. Don't despair! Those desires are like hard, white strawberries. In God's time and way they can ripen into juicy fruit, but you'll have to wait!

You can pick pink strawberries. You can even pick white strawberries if you want to. However, neither will be edible, and both will ruin the fruit's chance to ripen. You can try to rush life's circumstances if you want to. You can even throw guidelines away, taking on responsibilities and privileges before reaching the designated maturity. The consequences of doing this are like picking white berries. You'll ruin your chance for properly ripened, delicious fruit.

Scarlet strawberries are time ripened. And you'll have to wait.

Don't ruin tomorrow's fruit by picking it green today! AA ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

This devotional has been used by permission from pp. 135-136 of Harmony for the Heart, compiled by Elaine Berry, published by Green Pastures Press. This is the last devotional that we have permission to print in this publication; you can obtain the book to read the rest of the devotionals yourself. On this issue's theme, see p. 133, “Wait!” and p. 137, “While You Wait” (a sequel to this one that discusses what to do while waiting for the “berries” to ripen … “Don't overlook today's opportunities while you wait for tomorrow's strawberries!”).

atience is not indifference; patience conveys the idea of an immensely strong

rock withstanding all onslaughts. … Moses endured, not because he had an ideal of right and duty, but because he had a vision of God. He 'endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible.' A man with the vision of God is not devoted to a cause or to any particular issue; he is devoted to God Himself.” A

“P

~ Oswald Chambers ~~ Oswald Chambers ~


You'll Have to Wait

A Devotional A A A A A A

by Heather Martin


atience is a beautiful character trait; it's one we all desire to have. When we

see it in another person we admire them for it. It's been said, "Don't pray for patience because you're really praying for struggles." The state-ment is often said with some humour, but I am sure we have all found this to be true by our own personal experiences. In order to be able to have the beauty of patience in our lives, though, we must go through hardships that can teach us what patience really is.

P

Where does patience come from? I don't know that I ever really asked that question in so many words, but when I thought about this article, I first thought about my title and I felt as though I had new light on the subject! If I want to see the fruit of the spirit: patience, in my life, I must look to Christ. In and of myself I will not find the deepest depths of patience. I was very blessed and excited when I realized like never before that God was and is the ultimate example of patience, He designed patience, and He demonstrates His patience each and every day. Sisters, since then I felt as though patience isn't just something I desire to have; patience is something I CAN have! You too, may have the beautiful character trait of patience.

Does patience come naturally to me? Most certainly not! Just so you know, I am not created naturally patient. But I desire patience, and yes, I pray for patience. In honesty, I think the blessing of the fruit of patience in one's life far outweighs the hardships one must go through in order to be (more) patient.

Over the past 2 months, James 1:3 has been in my thoughts quite regularly. It says: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Verse 4 continues the thought about patience, But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Ever wondered what the "trying of your faith" might be? Until 2 months ago I had this imagination/idea that it was the testing of a Christian's strength in the face of oppo-sition – you know, like the risk of being killed because of your faith. But when I thought about this portion of Scripture with the realization that it is as much for me now as it was for those Anabaptists and many others who willingly gave their lives for the cause of Christ, I began thinking about practical ways in my own life where God has used incidents to try my faith. I didn't have to think very long or hard before I came up with a number of things.

Is your faith being tried? Take courage! Patience is being worked out in your life! And when the time of trying is over you will be perfect and entire, lacking (KJV says wanting) nothing (James 1:4).

One way that my faith is being tried recently is through an accident I had while skating in February. I fell and hit my head really hard, and two weeks later I still couldn't speak a sentence without mistakes. I thought I would have to live with a speech impediment for the rest of my life. Thankfully that problem is fixed, but I am still slower in thought than


PatienceA A A A A

by Trishia Plett

GOD: The Source of Our


I was before then. I cannot handle work and responsibilities the way I could before. I get tired very easily and need to sleep a lot. But the biggest test of my faith: I am graduating from high school in June and I was supposed to do a lot of school before then. I am able to graduate with the amount of education that I have, but I wanted more. I knew God was leading me to graduation, and when the acci-dent happened I had to take a second look at graduation. Why would God allow me to have a concussion 4 months before I was going to finish high school? The little bit of research I did about concussions proved to me that school was not something I should do for the sake of my brain health. "God, what are you saying?" I prayed numerous times. I had many questions. Should I keep working at school? Should I put school on hold until the end of April and then cram until graduation? Should I find out if I can graduate without doing the work I had planned to do?

And then I remembered my school prayer that I had written . . . I was praying: that school would not be stressful, that I would be able to bless my family, that I would not need to cram and be stressed just before grad. I phoned the school and learned I could easily graduate with the education that I already have. But the lady said I should "lay low" for a while and then see how I felt. A friend of mine who has had concussions told me I should not pick up school again. "Rather save your brain than ruin it for life." My school prayer came back to the front of my memory. Could it be possible that this concussion – though life changing – could be God's way of answering my prayer? I have decided to take it as God's answer to prayer. Also, I wanted God to be glorified through my grad; would achieving the highest diploma

glorify Him or would I want to take some glory? Did I come to this point easily and naturally? Not really. It was hard; it still is! In my way of thinking, this is a modern day "trying of your faith" which, according to the Bible, will result in patience.

So, if God is our source of patience, shouldn't we be looking to Him and choosing to see every situation in life as though it came directly from Him? No, I don't mean we should be thinking negatively and expecting EVERYTHING to be a test of patience!!! (If truth must be told, I have not really felt that the concussion etc. has been a test of patience as much as it has been a test of my faith. And since looking at patience as part of God's character and something I get from Him, patience has taken on a new light that I don't really know how to explain.)

We probably can all think of a time in our lives when God was patient with us. The Bible is full of (true) stories that clearly illustrate the incredible patience of God. The Israelites in the desert for forty years is the first one that comes to my mind. 40 years!!! God wanted a people that would serve Him, but because of the sin of unbelief, He waited 40 years until the first generation died. He then led the next generation into the Promised Land. The next generation, though, was just like the one that died in the wilderness. They were stiffnecked and rebellious. Nonetheless, God kept calling out a chosen few to serve Him and worship Him. He punished the Israelites time and time again. Finally He allowed them to go into captivity. But He was still patient with them and their stubborn ways. God never forgot the promise He made in Leviticus 26. If they (when in captivity, dying in a strange land) shall confess their iniquity, and



the iniquity of their fathers, and their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punish-ment of their iniquity: Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember their land. This promise is con-cerning the literal land itself and we can see the patience of God clearly demonstrated. Is He kee-ping this promise? Yes! Is it always obvious? I think we can honestly say, "No." But do we believe that God keeps His promises? I do!!! ☺ Deuteronomy 7:9 says, Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy (emphasis added) with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. This is my God, my example of patience. (Note that one cannot have mercy if they fail in patience.)

This illustration of the Israelites makes me think of an Old Testament "trying of faith." ☺

In the New Testament we see another beautiful example of the love and patience Jesus had for Israel. Matthew 23:37, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered they children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! I think there are some people who believe that this is an example of Jesus Christ being angry; I personally feel as though Jesus must

have been weeping or nearly weeping when He spoke these words. When I read this verse my heart nearly aches. Jesus says, "I want you for Myself, I want to protect you." But Israel refuses His love and His mercy. Nonetheless, God is still demonstrating His patience to this "rebellious and stiffnecked people."

Are you and I looking to Christ for our patience or are we expecting to come up with it through our own high standards and good behaviour? Do we think that we

can be patient because we have been through a lot of hard times? Or are we looking to Christ and realizing that in Him, by Him, and through Him is the one and only way that we shall EVER become

even a little bit patient? Sisters, let us look to Christ The author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. He endured much more than we can comprehend and He still does.

But the fruit of the Spirit (Christ dwelling in us) is...long-suffering (better understood today as patience). We can clearly see that we as children of the Most High God are not being asked to be something he has not already been. AA ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

Trishia (20) lives in Arborg, Manitoba on the family farm with her parents and 8 siblings aged 4-17. Her oldest sister is married and has a son of which she is a very proud aunt. It is Trishia's greatest desire in life that God will receive all the honour and glory from her life.


Do we think that we can be patient because we have been through a lot of hard times? Or are we looking to Christ and realizing that in Him, by Him, and through Him is the one and only way that we shall EVER become even a little bit patient?


The fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering, gentleness.

he LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant

in goodness and truth.T

Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.–Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.–The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and with-out hypocrisy.–Charity suffereth long, and is kind.

In due season we shall reap, if we faint not.–Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. AA ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

GAL. 5:22 EX. 34:6. EPH. 4:1-2.–EPH. 4:32.–JAMES 3:17.–I COR. 13:4. GAL. 6:9.–JAMES 5:7-8.

A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A From Daily Light on the Daily Path, June 1, Morning.

y times are in Thy hand, O Lord! And, surely, that is the best. Were I to choose,

they should be in no other hands, neither mine own, nor any others. When He withholds mercies or com- forts for a season, it is but till the due season. There-fore it is our wisdom and our peace to resign all things into His hands, to have no will nor desires, but only this, that we may still wait for Him. Never was any one who waited for Him miserable with disappointment.” A ~ Robert Leighton ~ Robert Leighton ~~

“M

e cannot be useless while we are doing and suffering God's will, whatever it

may be found to be. And we can always do that. If we are bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit, we are not useless. And we can always do that. If we are increasing in the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, we are not useless. And we can always do that. While we pray we cannot be useless. And we can always do that. God will always find us a work to do, a niche to fill, a place to serve, nay, even a soul to save, when it is His will, and not ours, that we desire to do; and if it should please Him that we should sit still for the rest of our lives, doing nothing else but waiting on Him, and waiting for Him, why should we complain? Here is the patience of the saints.” A

“W

~ A. Thorold ~~ A. Thorold ~

ut of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; real character is usually

seared with scars.” A“O

ove is not easily provoked; it bears teasing, criticism, and irritations with joy and pa-

tience, returning love for hatred or annoyance.L

Love bears all things. It bears the burdens of others. It bears the trials of life. It bears all irritations, difficulties, and unlovable people.

Love endures all things. It is a good soldier in the spiritual battle. It carries its cross and doesn't try to take the easy road. It endures persecution, mocking, misunderstanding, injustice, irritations, and trials. It is faithful and endures temptation. A


A A A A A

QuotesA A A A A

A A A A A A

DevotionalA A A A A A


atience has never been an easy quality to learn. Have you ever heard the

quote, “God, give me patience, and I need it now!” This illustrates in a rather humorous but true-to-life way the plight of most people: we want things now. We want life to work on our schedule. We think our timing is perfect. We decide when we want everything to happen, and it had better happen then, or else!

P

The result? We are perfectly happy, content, meek and mild daughters of the King until… The third stoplight in a row turns red just before you get there. Your baby sister spills on your favorite dress just a few minutes before church. You’re distracted from an impossible algebra assignment by the obnoxious humming of your little brother, and he just won’t stop. The cashier at the grocery store can’t seem to figure out what she’s doing. You’ve finally managed to get all your little siblings in the van when – your little sister has to use the restroom now.

We’re all familiar with these kinds of situations, and our response usually isn’t what we would want broadcasted to the rest of the world. Angry words. Exasperated sighs. Raising your voice. Threatening things you don’t mean. Actions you regret as soon as the crisis is over.Patience can be defined as “cheerful and hopeful endurance”. Note that there is a world of difference between just enduring, and cheerfully and hopefully enduring. Another dimension of patience is long-suffering, especially toward others’ faults. 1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us that love “…suffereth long, and is kind…”.

Trying to learn this quality can seem like an impossible battle. Many impatient people are those who have just given up trying. Without

God’s help, you will never fully acquire patience. You’ll be able to be patient on your own strength only until a crisis comes, and you need patience most, and you find your own strength has failed you.

“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 7:24-25a. Christ promises us victory over all sin – yes, even when you’re running ten minutes late and can’t find your shoes. Praying daily to the Lord for His patience will enable you to achieve it. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” – Romans 8:37 (emphasis added). Desire to learn patience and believe that with God’s help you can, and you’ll find that even in the most trying circum-stances you can be more than a conqueror.

Above all don’t focus on learning patient words and patient actions, but instead focus on gaining a patient heart. As Amy Carmichael put it, “If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.”

How do we gain this patient heart – this cup brimful of sweet water no matter what “jolts” come our way?

The Bible compares patience to the gardener who sows his seed but must wait until harvest to enjoy the fruits of his labor (Galatians 6:9). Sometimes I’ve felt like digging up my seeds to see what’s taking so long! But the key to patience is learning to wait – and to wait with a good attitude.


PatienceA A A A A

by Cara Harnessand Lisa Bode

A A A A A


This good attitude must be rooted in the truth that God’s ways are higher than our ways. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:9. His timing is always, always perfect. “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time….” – Ecclesiastes 3:11. God’s timing is always far superior to ours!

The root of our impatience is a desire for things to happen on our schedule, and a habit of getting upset when something goes wrong (from our perspective, that is). Take the example of Abraham. He was promised by God a son, but the years slowly passed with no fulfillment of this promise. Finally Sarah and Abraham took matters into their own hands. That unwise leap ahead of God caused problems. But in God’s perfect time, He did the humanly impossible and Sarah bore a son!

Perhaps there is something that God has shown you, some vision that just doesn't seem to be coming to pass, maybe about your future or some need that you have. It is tempting to jump ahead of God, but the results can be devastating. In my own life, I believe God is calling me to some type of mission work, but I am not totally sure if or where. I would like to know and just zoom ahead, but this is an area in which I need to be patient, waiting for God to show me His perfect will. Jumping ahead of God is always dangerous, but particularly in major life decisions. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” - Psalm 37:7.

In the eighth chapter of Luke, Jesus told the parable of the sower who sowed seeds in different places. The seeds that fell on the good ground grew and flourished, but not overnight. Sometimes doing spiritual work can be discouraging – we plant seeds, but it doesn't seem like anything comes of them. But in God's own time He will bring forth the fruits of

our labor! It is our job to faithfully do what God has told us – He is the one who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).

Whenever the Lord has us wait, it is always for a good purpose – often to perfect our character, or to protect us from the consequences to which doing things our way would have led. You see, doing things in our time results in a mess. But in His time everything turns out beautifully. “As for God, his way is perfect….” – Psalm 18:30.

Patience applies to the smallest details of life. God is in control of each moment, working through each person and each situation and each interruption for our benefit. Remember Romans 8:28. Patience depends on a quiet trust in God’s purposes. Our schedule must be yielded to His.

The third stoplight in a row turns red just before you get there. God’s in control of stoplights, too! What a testimony you could be to the others in the car, and how much more joy and peace you could experience, if you learned to cheerfully say, “You know, next

time we should leave a few minutes earlier!” and let it go at that.

Your baby sister spills on your dress just a few minutes before church. In the heat of the moment you don’t realize it, but the rest of your family is watching for your reaction. This mishap was obviously beyond your control. (When something is out of our control, Whose control is it in then? Can you guess? ☺) What a testimony if you could quickly change your clothes, quietly trusting in God’s purposes, accepting the fact that it is worth being a minute late and not wearing your favorite dress in order to learn God’s character.

You’re distracted from an impossible algebra assignment by the obnoxious humming of your little brother, and he just won’t stop. Your temper begins to rise. What would happen if you took


Above all don’t focus on learning patient words and patient actions, but instead focus on gaining a patient heart.


a moment to pray and give the whole situation over to God? Don’t you think He’s capable of giving you the wisdom to handle it His way?

The cashier at the grocery store can’t seem to figure out what she’s doing. You don’t know this, but it’s her first day. She’s dealt with multiple impatient people and is hiding her ever-growing frustration. You may never know what a smile and patient attitude could do to encourage her and to show her the love of the Lord.

You’ve finally managed to get all your little siblings in the van when your little sister has to use the restroom now. This is problem #116 in the last ten minutes, but still… don’t you know your little sister is one of God’s precious jewels? Haven’t you remembered how patient God is with you? Sometimes we have to learn the same thing over and over and over, yet God never throws up His hands and yells, “I've had it!” So can’t you treat that “bothersome” little sister the same way?

Once we accept suffering – anything from little irritations to major tragedies – God works through it to perfect our character! Once we put our lives, our plans, our schedules, our time in His hands, He makes it beautiful. Remember what James said: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be entire and complete, wanting nothing.” - James 1:2-4.

So next time something (or someone ☺) is getting on your nerves, next time you have to wait, next time your schedule is interrupted – don't view it as a bad thing. Instead, see it as God having His perfect way in your life! Sometimes He does interrupt our plans in order to get us on His schedule. AA ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

Reprinted by permission from www.bodefamily.net/kd.A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

Teach Me to Wait

Author Unknown

Oh, teach me, dear Father, to patiently wait;

Your timing is never one moment too late.

You know all the questions –

each 'how' and each 'why'

That with their persistence my heart often try.

Not one single part of my life is unplanned.

You hold every thread,

Precious Lord, in Your hand.

Lord, why does it seem that the areas You touch

Are the ones that are tender and hurt oh, so much?

Because they're entwined with longings so great,

And heart-drawing happenings –

and then You say 'Wait'?

Lord, teach me Thy patience to see what I should –

That somehow it all will work out for my good.

And Lord, if these longings must crucified be,

Then keep Thou Thy kind, loving arms around me.

And may I not question – Thy way is the best.

'Tis only in Thee that my heart can have rest.

Each trial and test is because of Your love,

That I may grow more like my Father above.

So teach me, dear Father, to patiently wait.

I know that Your timing is never too late. A

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:5


Sometimes He does interrupt our plans in order to get us on His schedule.

http://www.bodefamily.net/kd


nd the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The

LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” Exodus 34:6

“A“The LORD is longsuffering, and of great

mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.” Numbers 14:18

“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psalm 25:5

“Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.” Psalm 25:21

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Psalm 37:7

“Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” Psalm 37:34

“And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” Psalm 39:7

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1

“I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.” Psalm 52:9

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.” Psalm 62:5

“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15

“These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.” Psalm 104:27

“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:2

“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6

“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.” Psalm 145:15

“By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.” Proverbs 25:15

“And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

“O LORD, thou knowest: remember me, and visit me, and revenge me of my persecutors; take me not away in thy longsuffering: know that for thy sake I have suffered rebuke.” Jeremiah 15:15

“The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” Lamentations 3:25

“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:26

“Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.” Hosea 12:6


Scriptureson this issue's theme of

Patience


“Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7

“The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. . . . And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.” Matthew 18:26, 29

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16

“In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:19

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4

“To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:” Romans 2:7

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Romans 5:4

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17

“But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:25

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Romans 12:12

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4

“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:” Romans 15:5

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” I Corinthians 13:4

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,” II Corinthians 6:4

“By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,” II Corinthians 6:6

“Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” II Corinthians 12:12

“For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” Galatians 5:5

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Galatians 5:22

“With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;” Ephesians 4:2

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

“Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;” Colossians 1:11

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:12-13

“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” I Thessalonians 1:3



“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” I Thessalonians 5:14

“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:” II Thessalonians 1:4

“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” II Thessalonians 3:5

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” I Timothy 1:16

“Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;” I Timothy 3:3

“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” I Timothy 6:11

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,” II Timothy 2:24

“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,” II Timothy 3:10

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” II Timothy 4:2

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.” Titus 2:2

“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15

“For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth

so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:3-4

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” James 5:7

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:8

“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.” James 5:10

“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:11

“For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.” I Peter 2:20

“Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” I Peter 3:20

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” I Peter 4:19

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1:5-8



“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;” II Peter 3:15

“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” Revelation 2:2-3

“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

“I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.” Revelation 2:19

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10

“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12 A

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

f any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross

daily, and follow me.–Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.–Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness.

I

Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.–Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.–Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD. AA ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

HEB. 12:1-2. LUKE 9:23.–LUKE 14:33.–ROM. 13:12. I COR. 9:25, 27.–PHIL. 3:13-14.–HOS. 6:3

A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A From Daily Light on the Daily Path, January 30, Morning.


“A soul that is patient waits with calm endurance for light before acting, and in virtue of this calm and patient endurance suffers no pain or anxiety, because the soul possesses herself and waits for light; and when the mind waits patiently for light, sooner or later it is sure to come. Trials of mind affect us more deeply than pains of body, and if we give way to anxiety such trials become troubles, and are immensely increased. But this cannot happen to those patient souls, who feel that they are in the hands of God, and are encircled with His fatherly providence, and that all things are in His disposal. When we see not our way through some trial or difficulty, we have only to look to God, and to wait in patience, and in due time His light will come and guide us. This very attitude of waiting, this very patience of expecting, will dispose the mind to receive, and the will to rightly use, the needful light. Whenever you are perplexed as to what course you should take, if you go blindly into action you will be sure to repent it. Wait for light, wait with patience, and light will not fail you.” A ~ W. Ullathorne ~

Run with Patience

Daily Light Devotional


Karissa asked us to share our courtship testimony in this issue. As I've been thinking of our courtship story regarding patience, I feel like I need to start quite a while before Quentin and I ever started a relationship, or I even noticed him as someone special . . .A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

s a young girl I very much desired to be married someday, and wor-

ried that maybe no one would ever notice or care about me. I had crushes on different boys and young men as I grew older. The summer of 2007 I was 16 and deeply engrossed in day dreams and various crushes, when one of the young men took notice of my desire to be noticed. At first it stayed pretty low key, but after my 17th birthday (mid March, 2008) things really went out of control. As the weeks and months went by we became deeply involved in a 'secret' relationship. I thought I was in love and though I had always desired to keep myself pure and someday have a godly courtship, I allowed him to take advantage of me and use me to fulfill his lustful desires. About 7 months later in early November, my dad discovered what was going on and did his best to bring an abrupt end to the relation-ship. Thanks to him and other church members, I never saw the young man again, but in my heart the battle against authority and to keep the relationship going lasted another 4 months. During those months God really got a hold of me and showed me

A

who I was in His eyes, that I deserved to die for my sin and that indeed He loved me deeply and had died to redeem me from my sin. God firmly and lovingly worked through His people and shut many doors in my face as I desperately tried to go on my own way. Finally, just a few days before my 18th birthday in March 2009, tired of fighting against God, I chose to turn from my life of sin and walk with God by His grace. Together with 3 dear women of God, I knelt and repented of my sin and decided to follow Jesus, no turning back! The following months were full of great joy and peace like I had never known, but also hardships as I learned to think pure thoughts, forget my past, and go on to higher ground. The higher I climbed, the further away my past became, and as by His grace I crucified my desires, it became easier to leave the past behind me and continue on to higher ground.

During the first months after my conversion I was living with the Hiebert* family in Alberta (they became like a second family to me). About 2 months after my conversion I was able to visit my family for a short time. We had an evening service where I shared my testimony with the church and also shared a short testimony with the sisters. When I came in the door there was Quentin smiling as big as can be . . . I had never noticed him before; he was several


A Courtship StoryA A A A A A

by Judith Waldner

All the Way My Saviour

Leads Me

*Editor's note: Judith is referring to my uncle's

family, not mine ☺


years older than I, way above me, and not very nice looking or so I had always thought . . . At the moment I thought, He's nice, and I think he's godly. I didn't dwell on it and the evening went by quickly as I enjoyed fellow-ship with my home church. The next day he took our family picture and I told Mom I'd noticed him. I had “bigger fish to fry” and was determined to follow the Lord without distraction, so I did not continue thinking about him. I joined 'my other family' and we continued on our family trip to Ohio.

A few months later, in June of 2009, I returned home to my own family. There were many battles fought and won in the ensuing weeks and months and God faith-fully saw me through each one. Through this time as I continued to lay down the previous relationship and go on with God, I felt God telling me that He had a work cut out for me that was far greater and more beautiful than the relationship I'd been in. (Wow! What a loving Heavenly Father! Looking back now, there is absolutely nothing desirable about that part of my past; it's almost hard to imagine continually needing to put it behind me . . . but, I suppose that's why I was able to forget and truly hate the sin and total ugliness of it.) I clearly felt that God was calling me to get married some day and be a helpmeet for someone.

Sometime later at a youth meeting, God seemed to speak to me and tell me, “Quentin is the one for you.” I 'hid that in my heart' and continued on with life. Silently I also liked him; there was just something about his personality that I liked. I did not allow my life and thoughts to revolve around him. Although it is possible I wondered about marriage more than was necessary, I did not

allow these thoughts to completely overcome me. I continually brought such thoughts to Christ and was able to overcome each time.

Because of my previous relationship, I was very determined never to enter into a relationship with a young man who was not a victorious Christian. I began to think of specific requirements for my future husband. Most of these were good in themselves. Quentin went through an extremely low time spiritually and I decided that if that's how things were, he was not even an option for me.

On July 7, 2010 my journal entry starts out by saying, “Our prayers have been answered for Quentin! Praise the Lord!!! He's been freed from his backsliding, now he is pressing forward/heavenward again!” (It's interesting to look back on some of these things and see that though I had convinced myself Quentin wasn't an option for me and that I didn't like him, it's pretty clear while looking back that there was always something way back there . . . I liked him.) I know the thought did surface at that time . . . maybe it was God back then saying Quentin is for me . . . maybe someday . . . But, no probably not . . . I wrote a few weak-nesses that I saw in his life down and told myself that as long as he did not change in these things I should not consider him.

I continued evaluating young men I met and wondering, if God really was calling me to marriage (which I strongly believed He was), who He might have for me. I thought up every potential problem that Quentin


December 2009


and other young men might have and held them up against them, convincing myself that there was definitely no one for me in my home church. I believed I was totally resting in the Lord and His will for me, and that although there was no one for me here, He would bring someone in His own time.

In the summer of 2011 I realized that most of the 'requirements' I'd written down for Quentin were becoming reality in his life as he continued to grow. I pushed that away, but not for long . . . God really convicted me of holding all these other 'potential sins/ problems' against my brothers in Christ. It didn't matter whether or not I would or would not marry any of them; it was not right of me to hold these things against them. I was (and still am, by the way ☺) a totally human person too with my own set of problems and besetting sins. I went over my mental list of the things I'd held against these young men, especially Quentin, and realized that all the things that were worthy of not starting a relationship over were things I could not prove to be true. I needed to lay them down and leave them there unless clear evidence came up to prove these things true. Other smaller things I had thought were important I realized were standards I did not always reach myself and I could not hold them up against any man. God really showed me clearly that I am human and I fail and I cannot expect any more of my (future) husband. Well, there I was – all those neat little walls I had built to protect myself had crumbled around me; I no longer had anything I could use against Quentin. I still liked him, still had that sense that someday he would indeed be my husband. Now what, Lord? I thought, and

the battle was on. ☺ Well, if this is really God, then the least I can do is keep these feelings in order and not let go of my heart. I spent much time in prayer asking God to help me keep my heart and do His will in me. Unfortun-ately, as time went on and that clear con-firmation dimmed, I doubted that God had really shown me that Quentin was for me, and because of that I faced more struggles than I would have needed to. I tried to just leave it and let it rest, but there were times when something would be said or I would wonder if I had noticed something and Quentin really wasn't for me . . . maybe he was interested in someone else . . . I would go back over all the times God had worked in me concerning this and think, But if he's not for me, then why did I feel so strongly that God had indeed spoken to me . . . why would God do that then . . . ? This was not a constant battle for me, although it did happen more than once; there were times when the battle was intense and times when it was not so intense. Whenever things were hard I would spend much time in prayer pleading with God to help me keep my heart. Many times I wondered if I was succeeding in this battle for my heart, but still I fought on. At the end of December of 2011 I was absolutely tired of this; I wanted to get on with life and I was convinced that I had never grown out of little girl crushes and was completely ashamed of myself. I spent much time crying and praying that God would just completely remove all of this, and let me be free. But no matter how I cried and prayed it would not leave. Finally I said, Ok, Lord I surrender, I don't have to know why this attraction for Quentin is here, but I believe that you gave it to me, and you can



do with it what you want; if you want me to marry Quentin someday, fine; if you just wanted to use this to purify me, that's fine too, because indeed it has made me a better person. Let your will be done. Finally peace and rest flooded over me again.

A few days later, a bunch of the youth from our church attended a Youth Bible School. Quentin and I were among them. I kind of wondered how it would be to have to see him every day for a week, but it was fine. I was completely at peace. During that week God again seemed to say to me, Judith, this is the one for you. A few other things that I felt God saying to me was that I would not be attending another Bible School (anyway not as a student) and that by this time next year I would be married. I 'hid these things in my heart' and continued to enjoy my week. On Sunday when we went home, my sister and I ended up riding with Quentin home from Bible School. Because of the total rest and peace I was enjoying, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the ride, and we talked about this and that all the way home. After Bible School I spent some time praying about various other things. One of the speakers had encouraged us to list all our dreams on a piece of paper, then put them away and ask God to show us what he wanted. I decided I would try to do that, but after writing these things down and praying about it that same day, I felt that God had already shown me His will and I didn't need to pray about it any-more. I sensed so strongly that I would soon be married that I laid aside some of my other goals for a while. Although I had clearly sensed once again that God had Quentin for me, I was not dwelling on that; the part that had most stuck out to me was that I would

be married soon. I got a little carried away with that and spent some time rather unproductively. One of the things I laid aside was studying midwifery. I had started it a few years earlier believing I would not become a midwife, but that it would be a good interest to pursue and would benefit me no matter how far I got in the course, especially if/when I would marry. Well, no one came for a few months and I started to wonder if I really had heard God right on some aspects . . . Surely I wouldn't be married this year anyway. I figured the ideal court-ship was around 9 months long so there was no chance of marriage before 2013. I also figured that to God even 2 years could be a short time, so I had better pick up those things that I can only enjoy in my single years. So that's what I did. I still believed that God had spoken to me, but chose not to dwell on it, and chose to get on with life. I made goals considering my midwifery course and spent some time with Karissa and a midwife in Minnesota which was really fun. In June of 2012 I flew to Ohio to spend 3 weeks with a midwife there. I had the privilege of attending 10 births with her and many prenatal visits. I loved it and really realized that midwifery is definitely 'my thing', but it seemed to me a lonely work because it's really best suited for a woman without the responsibility of a family, so I would never come home to a family who needed me, never be a helpmeet to only one man every day for the rest of my life . . . I could imagine learning midwifery more and possibly apprenticing, but not


May 2012, when we spent some time with a midwife


doing it for the rest of my life. I still consi-dered maybe coming back for a longer time . . . but, I had no idea what was transpiring at home . . . ☺ On Wednesday as I was packing to leave the next day, I felt God saying to me that courtship and marriage were happening very, very soon. I didn't fight the thought, but pushed it away thinking, I've been there before; this time I'm not letting it take over my life and thoughts.

I was so thrilled to be home again! So very, very glad to be home with my family, to be in a house full of people where I was needed and loved. The thought of going back to Ohio was even more a lonely thought and I was not ready to go back very soon. I shared with Mom how I had loved my time, but how lonely I had felt and how truly I longed to be a wife and mother. I asked her, “Mom, do you think I will ever get married?” Apparently that was the wrong question to ask at that time because Mom just smiled and said, “Don't ask me that.” I had sensed when I got home that something was happening, but now . . . now I knew there must be something happening. I asked my sister if she knew anything; she wouldn't answer properly. I wondered, Could it really be? maybe I should ask Daddy. ☺ No, I figured I should wait; if there's something, he'll tell me. If they don't say something within the week though, maybe I would ask. Well, Monday morning Daddy gave me a letter. I tore it open and looked to see who it was from. Quentin! I laughed and sort of cried all at once. Really, he had noticed me, he actually liked me, wanted a relationship with me!!! After all this time! I had wondered how I would respond if he really would ever ask me – would I pray about it a while, or would I just say yes? At

that moment I knew that this was a confir-mation of all those times I thought I had heard God telling me he was for me, of the attraction that had never left me. I spent the better part of the day writing a letter in reply. Daddy encouraged me to go ahead and ask him whatever questions I felt were important, so I went ahead and asked him a good two pages' worth. ☺ Later that same day Daddy dropped in at Quentin's work place to give him his letter. I told my sisters (who had guessed what might be going on before I had come home already ☺) as well as my “second mom and sisters.” My dad encouraged us to write letters for a while to get to know one another, despite the fact that we only lived 7 miles apart.

The next day I went along to the city with my dad and he told me all about the visits he'd had with Quentin. Daddy told Quentin that he can come over every time he has a letter for me. We decided we would not announce our courtship in church, only Lord willing our engagement. It was a sweet time with my dad, as my heart started to leave home . . . truly courtship is the beginning of leaving (home); it is the very beginning of starting your own home and life. To all you single girls still at home, enjoy and treasure each moment; it may be over sooner than you think. Life changes dramatically when you begin courting and it will never be the same again.

On Wednesday I made some phone calls during the day, telling “the most important people” (people I didn't want to get the news second-hand). Mom and I went to visit both grandparents to tell them the news. They were so excited for me. Quentin came over around 5:30 and stayed till almost 10:00. It was a good first visit. I didn't



think it was awkward, but Quentin said for him it was very awkward. ☺ There was cer-tainly a feeling of newness. He also brought along his very first letter in reply to mine. The next day I made more phone calls. (News like that travels way too fast – if you want to tell it yourself, you have to hurry and do it. ☺)

On Friday there was a youth meeting and I got to sit beside Quentin. He announced our courtship there even though everyone knew already. ☺ I was able to concentrate surprisingly well, but being together in public those first few times was decidedly awkward for me.

Saturday was the church picnic and my brothers and I rode with Quentin. We had a sweet time visiting on the way there with me almost crying at the acceptance and love that I felt from Quentin, despite wrong choices I had made in my past. He gave me a white rose that morning signifying purity, reverence, humility, honour, new beginnings, beauty, and youthfulness. It was really special. I was pretty excited and a bit apprehensive about what this day might hold. Last year's church picnic I had liked Quentin already and had so enjoyed helping him with his group's treasure hunt, but I'd had to try to hide that attraction; this year everything was out in the open.

We went to take our very first official courtship pictures when we got there. I enjoyed the day, but felt like I didn't quite know where I fit in and just how to act with Quentin or how much I should be with him, but he said that day was not awkward for him at all.

Quentin had to win my heart in those first weeks. That was so exciting to me because I had been afraid I had failed to keep my heart.

In the first 2 months of our courtship we wrote many more letters and really got to know one another on a deep level. Writing those letters was such a blessing for us in our relationship! It really laid the foundation in our relationship, and inspired important conversations. Quentin and I spent time together about twice a week, sometimes more, but I don't think it was ever less. My dad believed that if we know what we want and know what we need to know about each other, then there's no sense in dragging things out. We don't need to learn everything about each other before we're married; we have the rest of our lives to get to know one another. Most of our visits were at my house, a few at his house, and a few to the city with others along with us. We spent time going for walks alone together, working together, and talking – we did a lot of that wherever we went – on the phone, a few text messages . . . ☺ Eventually I began to feel as though we had talked about everything there was to talk about in this stage of our relationship, and started to feel very ready for the next stage of our relationship: Engagement.

On Saturday, September 1, 2012, Quentin came over as he usually did on Saturday. In the late morning and into the afternoon we went for a walk by the river across the field from our house. It was a rainy day, but not


Our first courtship picture


too cold. We basically enjoyed each other's company in silence as we walked along, enjoying the beautiful scenery. On our way back, both of us sopping wet, Quentin star-ted talking a bit about his growing up years and how he had grown to love me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. When I was sure he was done talking, I answered him with a quiet, “Yes.” We went to his place with smiles on our faces so he could shower and get dry clothes, then went back to my family's place. I told Trish right away, but we waited till supper time at my grandparents' to tell everyone else.

Because Quentin's family was not all at home, we didn't announce our engagement that Sunday. In the afternoon we went to my other grandparents' to tell them our news and then went to visit some friends for supper and the evening.

The following Monday was a holiday, so Quentin came over again and we helped clean up corn while we started planning our wedding. We announced our engagement the following Sunday. The next days and weeks we kept very busy getting the date and place arranged, the meal, the times, the dress fabric for everyone, the photographer, the house . . . It was busy, stressful, exciting, and fun all at once. The date was set for November 24, 2012 (just 4 months of courtship!). Amidst all this I flew to visit my

dear Hiebert family in Alberta one last time as Judith Plett. I arrived there on September 13 and spent my time there helping them move. I felt extremely incom-plete and a bit lonely without Quentin there, but managed to really enjoy my time any-way. Quentin phoned me a few times while I was there, which really helped. On Sep-tember 21, Quentin came and joined me there. We helped the Hieberts move out of their house and into the next one. It was really special to be able to show Quentin exactly where I had knelt and prayed when I was born-again. We were able to give out the wedding invitations for people from there during that time, which was really nice. We really enjoyed our visit there and our brief rest from intense wedding preparation, and flew home together on September 25.

One of my friends from church helped me with my wedding dress. It turned out beautifully after much work especially on her part. We found a small duplex to rent in Morweena and really enjoyed setting it up in the month before the wedding.

November 24, 2012 arrived and I woke before 6:00 for the very last time as Judith Plett in the bedroom I shared with my sister. I lay there quietly for awhile trying to sleep just a little more, but sleep would not return. I heard my sister stirring in her bed across the room and my sister across the hall seemed to be awake too. Finally we all gave up trying and got up around 7:00. I got the last few things together and got dressed. We had a fairly relaxed morning at home. Quentin came around 8:30 to pick me up to go to the church. In the last four months he had picked me up to go somewhere many times, but this time he would not need to bring me back: at the


Engaged!


end of this day we would be each other's till death do us part. We finished up some preparation to leave right after the wedding, then went to church. I enjoyed mingling with the people and visiting before I went to change into my wedding dress.

As the special choir started singing “He Leadeth Me,” Quentin and the groomsmen came to stand at the front of the church. The bridesmaids went forward, and finally on the last chorus my dad and I walked in. I hugged my parents and took Quentin's arm, and we sat down in the front bench for the service.

It was a beautiful day which neither words nor pictures can express the beauty of. It all went by so fast, yet I savored every moment of it. The people who had come just for our day, the visiting, holding hands, being able to touch each other for the very first time . . . it was so worth the wait! We went on a beautiful honeymoon to a hotel in Winnipeg and to a cabin in the White-shell Provincial Park. We were gone a week, then came home to spend the next week together settling in.

By now life has settled into a new normal. We had to move from our cozy little home in July of 2013, and were blessed with a son, whom we named Elijah Shalom, on October 12, 2013. As of now we need to move in the next 3 months again. We've enjoyed many blessings and also worked through challenges together in our short (almost) year and a half of marriage.A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

Some things that were a great blessing to us in our courtship:

- Having a hands off courtshipHaving a hands off courtship. Commit-ting to have a hands off courtship was a huge blessing for us, and we did not find it

a temptation to touch one another in affec-tionate ways because of that commitment. Not touching one another shows respect for the other person and teaches a couple to really learn to communicate (with words). These are both extremely important ele-ments in a marriage, when life really gets real, when things are good and when the going gets tough. To have learned to com-municate is extremely important. Respect can be torn down in a very short time during courtship when a couple goes beyond the borders that they have set for themselves (or their parents have set). And it will take years to rebuild or simply to build respect (and trust) for one another.

- Being under authority.Being under authority. Being open and asking for input and guidance from parents and church leaders during this time of our life was a huge blessing for us. I purposed


Our Wedding Day, November 24, 2012


to be under authority and have a good relationship with my parents long before we started a relationship. I love my dad dearly, and learning to love him and be under his authority was a blessing like none other in the single years. Doing that is not only obedience to the Scripture, it is also a good preparation for marriage. Although, when you are married, you will be submitting to your husband, who will likely be quite different from your dad and you will have to learn what honours him. That aside, I would just really encourage you in your youth to learn to love authority, not in preparation for marriage, but because it honours our heavenly Father!

Although as you can see I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I do not look back on my single years with regret. I brought each struggle and hardship to my Heavenly Father and He was able to teach me many things through these things, for which I am deeply thankful. Through all this, God confirmed His will for me and that is so important when the things get hard now. I was determined in my single years not to let marriage consume me, to live my single years to the fullest of their potential, because I can never have them back. I really believe I was able to do that and found it such a blessing. I encourage you also to live in a way that you will not need to look back with regret. We have now to live; the way we live now is the way we live our lives. If we will always look to the future for happiness, our lives will never be able to be truly happy, because the future is always just that – the future. Live now to the fullest and the future will unfold beautifully in God's design for you.

God bless you! A~ Judith Waldner ~ Judith Waldner

Judith (23) writes: I live near Arborg, Manitoba with my wonderful husband and son, and enjoy being a wife and mother. Some of my hobbies are researching topics of interest and reading about childbirth and related subjects.A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

Note from the editor: Although I missed most of Quentin and Judith's courtship while I was in the Philippines, I have often been greatly blessed by what they have shared about their courtship. I have also been blessed by the testimony of their marriage as I have spent time in their home.

Behold, we count them happy which endure.

e glory in tribulations: . . . knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And

patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.–No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.–My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.–Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.–Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infir-mities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For when I am weak, then am I strong. A

W

A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A JAS 5:11. ROM. 5:3-5.–HEB. 12:11.–JAS 1:2-4.–2 COR. 12:9-10.A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

From Daily Light on the Daily Path, November 7, Evening.


Quentin, Judith, & Elijah, April 2014


o often we want to rush through life, and know the answers to all the

questions that arise. I find, though, in God’s Word that we are to wait on the Lord. He is omniscient (knows all things) and His wisdom is much greater than that of any man.

S

Isaiah 40:31 says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

If you wait for the Lord’s direction in your life, instead of trying to take matters into your own hands, Christ will give you strength – not necessarily physically, but spiritually.

In Psalm 37:34 David wrote, “Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.”

Not only does the Bible state that we are to wait on the Lord, but it says that we are to wait patiently. Psalm 40:1: “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

Another word that could be used for waiting would be trusting. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

David wrote in Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”

The Lord’s timing is perfect, and even though we may not know why things happen, Christ does. He is in control, and everything that happens is according to His will. When trials come our way,

it is hard to understand, but we don’t have to understand to believe. Just remember, with Christ, nothing is impossible. AA ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

Reprinted by permission from www.bodefamily.net/kd.

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart.

ast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the

LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.–Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.–Thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

H

The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.–Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. AA ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A

PSA. 27:14. ISA. 40:28-29.–ISA. 41:10.– ISA. 25:4. JAMES 1:3-4.–HEB. 10:35-36.

A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A ~ A From Daily Light on the Daily Path, September 2, Morning.


Wait on the LordA A A A A A

A Devotional

Waiting on the Lord

by Michelle Stauss

http://www.bodefamily.net/kd



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