The Secret of Wait

My sweet sister-in-law, Brenda, shared a poem that spoke to my heart.  I believe it will speak to many of you, too. 

A thoughtful friend was familiar with this poem and knew the author of this wonderful piece, Russell Kelfer. 

Russell Kelfer (1933-2000) was an elder and Bible teacher at Wayside Chapel in San Antonio, Texas for more than 20 years. During his life time he was active in a broad variety of Christian projects ranging from education to a World's Fair pavilion. His legacy of practical application Bible studies, poems, and fictional stories know no denominational boundaries.  (Information courtsey of http://ffmp3.firefighters.org/kelfer.asp)

 The Secret of Wait
by
Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly I cried;

Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,

And the Master so gently, said, "Child, you must wait."

My future and all to which I relate,

Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to WAIT?

I'm needing a "yes," a go-ahead sign,

Or a "no," to which I then can resign.

And, Lord, you promised that if we believe,

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

And, Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry,

I'm weary of asking, I need a reply!

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate;

As my Master replied, once again, "You must wait."

So, I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut

And grumbled to God, "So I'm waiting... for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine,

And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign."

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun,

I could raise the dead and cause the mountains to run.

All you seek I could give and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want, but you would not know Me.

You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.

You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair,

You'd not learn to trust by knowing I'm there.

You'd not know the joy of resting in Me,

When darkness and silence were all you could see.

You'd never experience that fullness of love,

As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove.

The glow of My comfort, late into the night,

The faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked,

Of an infinite God, who makes what you have, last.

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,

What it means that "My grace is sufficient for thee."

Yes, your dreams for your loved ones, overnight would come true,

But, oh, the loss if I lost, what I'm doing in you!

So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see,

That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.

And though oft' My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still WAIT.

Praying you know the peace, comfort and joy of Jesus Christ.