This Truth About “Wait Right Here” will Help You Live by Faith Today
Years ago when our son was little, I’d take him to the mall to burn off the fidgets on days he couldn’t run around outside.
I can still remember one particular visit like it happened yesterday…
We were enjoying our time together when he looked up at me and said, “Wait right here Mommy, I’ll be right back.”
He then turned and took off running across the mall-way; while I was left momentarily speechless.
Fortunately, I recovered quickly, shouted his name, and ran after him.
I don’t remember what he wanted or where he was going. I just remember thinking how ridiculous it was that my three-year-old thought he could manage the big mall world full of strangers and unknowns all by himself.
I also remember being very thankful that at that point he was still unable to outrun me! (Something that probably changed a couple of weeks later.)
It’s a blessing to be able to remember moments like that and smile.
I wonder how often I’m guilty of three-year-old foolishness.
Here I am in a big world away from my heavenly home. A place full of strangers and unseen dangers where it’s easy to get lost . . . but I’m still able to look up at my Heavenly Father and say…
“Wait right here, I’ll be right back.”
Anytime, I decide that I can do life on my own, am I really saying, “Wait right here, I’ll be right back.” Anytime, I decide I’d prefer to ignore His commands to love, forgive, or serve others; am I saying, “Wait here, I’ll be back.”
Anytime I choose to turn away from an opportunity to live by faith; I’m saying…
- I’ll be back when I’m ready.
- I’ll be back when I need You.
- I’ll be back when I’m frightened, hurting, or sick, etc.
The truth is . . . I have a little “prodigal” in me!
Do you have a little “prodigal” in you too?
If so, I have good news for you! God never leaves. He is always faithful even when I’m not!
David wrote:
Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run from you?
Psalm 139:7–10 (NCV)
If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I lie down in the grave, you are there.
If I rise with the sun in the east and settle in the west beyond the sea, even there you would guide me. With your right hand you would hold me.
We can live by faith because the Lord will never leave us or forsake us. He is always with us . . . even when we foolishly say, “wait right here.”
A Prayer to Faithfully Live by Faith and
Never Say, “Wait Right Here”
Father, I want to faithfully live with faith. I want to surrender myself completely to You . . . to let You hold my hand as we walk together. And I don’t want to foolishly think I can ask You to “wait right here” while I run off and do things my own way. That kind of thinking has never gone well for me. I so often wish I had wisely followed Your truth rather than listening to the foolishness of the world. Oh, the times I’ve had to fall before You with repentance . . . crying out for forgiveness.
Thank you for always watching over me. Thank you for faithfully forgiving me and welcoming me back into Your loving presence. Please help me trust and love You with my heart and soul. (Galatians 2:20) Please help me keep my mind focused on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2) Please help me show my love for Jesus by keeping Your commands. (John 14:15) Please help me remain close to You as You are always close to me. (James 4:8) Your grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Your love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:8) You are my all and everything I need today, tomorrow, and always and with Your Spirit’s help, I believe I can live by faith for Your glory. Amen.
I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.
Ephesians 3:17
So, what does it mean to live by faith?
It means prayerfully surrendering our lives to the Lord every day. It means that we ask Him to give us everything we need and let Him hold on to us . . . that we will trust the One who loves us most whenever we’re tempted to foolishly go running off into the world on our own.
May God bless you as you surrender your life to Him and ask Him to help you live by faith today.
What a great analogy, Deb, of a child running away from a parent compared to how we sometimes run from God. Just as we would never let our children run away, He won’t let us either. What a relief that is!
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha! It is a blessed relief, isn’t it! What a great God we serve. God bless you!
Deb, your writing’s are such a blessing to me! Each day your words speak to my heart but today was exceptional! Beautiful words and your prayer was so meaningful to me!! I appreciate so much your sharing.. God has given you a wonderful gift!! With much love , Sandy Bolser
Amen to Martha’s and Sandy’s comments! I too, thought the analogy was awesome and so spot on! I think almost everyone has experienced a child letting go of our hand and just take off running, so unaware of all the fears that may befall them. We know the fears, yet sometimes we still let go of God’s hand and run on ahead. But, Praise God, we are never out of His sight and always within His reach! Such a sweet and cheerful post today, Deb! It played as a scene in my mind and I could see you and your little boy so clearly! Bless you and thank you, for all the sweet tugs of obedience and love and learning from every post you share with us! We all so need your warm hugs and I appreciate mine more than you know! So sending a warm hug from all of us to you today!! Blessings for a Son-Shine Day! (From your own son and Jesus too)!
Oh, Kathy, your comments are always a blessing to my heart. Thanks so much for your encouragement. I am so very thankful and blessed that the Lord has made it possible for me to do this. Have a wonderful day! Blessings and Hugs!
Sandy, thank you so very much for your kind encouragement. I love sharing the ways the Lord has worked in my life. He is so very gracious and good. Thanks for visiting and for your kind comment. God be with you and bless you!
I love the way God teaches us through our experiences–especially our experiences with our children. Thank you for this beautiful prayer!
Thank you, Ginger! I hope you’re having a wonderful day. God bless you, my friend!
Hi Deb,
This is my first to write this comment re your examples. What has struck me most is your statement: “COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS”.
I always try and make sure that l do count my blessings before l go to bed.
Thank you for reminding me of such a simple attitude and an important one to express our gratitude.
Have a blessed day.
Hi, Harry. Thank you so much for pausing to join the conversation. I appreciate your encouragement. God be with you and bless you!
I’ve seen myself as your little boy. As countless times through my life said I the same thing to my Heavenly Father, to wait there until I run around to fulfill my desires. And HE WAITED and still WAITES for me. He proven that despite my waywardness, HE is Faithful, despite my cool heart, or disinterest HE loves me the same. That when I fall HIS arm is there to pick me up, when I’m a wreck then HE makes me whole. When He allows suffering in my life, HE’S there in it with me. I don’t deserve HIS love and mercy and will praise His Name forever.
What a beautiful testimony of faith, Gaby! Thanks so much for sharing it here with us. I think we’re all guilty of saying “wait right here” on occasion. It’s such an amazing blessing to know that the Lord is watching and waiting for us to remember how very much we need Him. Blessings!