“The Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don't know where it comes from or where it’s going.” -- John 3:8
Summer was fading, the air was crisp, and the fiery glow of autumn leaves littered the landscape. Sarah woke early. After a leisure chocolate chip pancake breakfast, she headed outside to play with her dog Luke. Today would be perfect for picking apples.
Sarah loved time with Gramps. He always took time for her. She wandered through his tool shed, always amazed at the interesting relics. Oh the stories they could tell.
Sarah spied something unfamiliar. She grabbed it carefully and raced back to the house with an excited look about her.
"Look, Grandpa," she said enthusiastically, interrupting his crossword ‘puzzling.’ "I found a kite. Will you teach me to fly it?"
The vault to his memory bank flew open. He remembered flying this kite with her dad. It was nothing special; colorful paper on a thin wood frame, an old necktie for a tail.
No one bought kites these days. Kids preferred to spend their money at the cinema. Adults seldom had time. There weren’t many open spaces left for flying kites. The city had swallowed up the open grassland.
Sadly there was no breeze today; the wind was a still as stone. "I'm sorry," he said, "The wind is dead now. The kite won't fly."
"I think it's windy enough. I’ll get it to fly," Sarah countered, as she hurried out the door.
"How’d it go?"Grandpa asked.
"Fine," she said, not wanting to admit defeat. "I got it to fly some."
As Sarah returned the kite to the shed, she mumbled under her breath, "I guess I'll just have to wait for the wind."
How true! We wait for the wind only after we have exhausted our own strength. We call upon God sometimes only after we’ve tried everything else on our own – and failed.
God knows that sometimes “self reliance” alone isn’t always good for us. We may not be ready yet. We need some time to mature, to prepare for God to use us.
As we wait for the Holy Spirit to ‘blow’ into our hearts, continue praying, and serving, and worshiping, and keeping the company of those who set the best examples.
Dear Lord, Your grace is as precious as the air I breathe. While I wait for Your Plan to unfold, help me to wait actively – to serve, to worship, to pray, to share, to glorify You . . . even while I’m waiting. Amen
