Wait for the Lord

Monday, February 18                                     Psalm 27

Denise DeVane

My parents grew up in Midland City, Alabama and as I am writing this, many people here and around the world are hearing about this town for the first time.  Late in January, a man boarded a school bus there, shot and killed the driver and abducted a young boy.  Fortunately, Ethan was rescued and was physically unharmed by the experience.

My cousin, Dawn, a reporter for the Birmingham News, wrote a beautiful piece for their website about this event.  Dawn’s focus was the town of Midland City where she and I and our siblings visited our grandparents, Mama Lou and Papa.

Dawn writes of memories that I share:  being allowed to go barefoot—even to the grocery store, and waiting for a train to pass on the very nearby tracks frantically waving to the man on the caboose hoping he would wave back.

My grandparents were hard working, faithful people.  They picked cotton, enduring the sweltering heat.  And they were grateful when they were able to work in other jobs and finally to open a small general store.

Mama Lou and Papa exhibited a faith that was unquestionable.  Their relationship with God was familiar and tangible.  To sit in a swing on the porch of a home they had dreamed of was more than they would ever ask of God.  They lived in gratitude and were committed to a life under the direction of their Lord.

In Psalm 27, the psalmist speaks to God as I expected my grandparents did. He boldly asks God to be gracious to him, to teach and lead him.  He believes he will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

There is a virtue that the Psalmist calls for that I believe my grandparents practiced far better than I do.   Psalm 27:14 directs us to “Wait for the Lord!”   I aspire to willingly wait as my lovely ancestors did.

Perhaps a porch swing would help.

Prayer:  Lord, give us strength to follow you and courage to trust your direction.

Challenge:  Look for the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.