I was observing a crane this morning as I sat in my corner chair. I love coming to the lake for a time of getting away, quiet, reflection and just observing the incredible creation God made for our enjoyment. Here we have the water to observe, the trees and plants changing with each season, the barges swiftly making their way north to south and south to north, as well as men fishing, people boating and all the incredible birds and creatures who live around the lake, like the crane I observed this morning. I am convinced that this little guy is the same one I see each time we come. He seems to have a thing for the rocky point across the water from us.
Just yesterday, I took a picture of him as he stood facing the American flag hoisted on the pole at the rocky point outside the neighbor’s house. He stood perfectly still for about ten minutes with seemingly such reverence and patriotism- more than most Americans! I wondered what it was that caused him to return there each day. Perhaps it’s a quiet, peaceful, unpopulated place or maybe it’s the treasure of fish he finds there for breakfast. I notice that he can see clearly in both directions from that rocky point, so maybe it’s the view. Maybe, like so many of us, he is a creature of habit. Most likely, I will never know what attracts him there day after day.
What I do know about this crane is that he is very patient. He sits for long periods of time waiting and watching for schools of fish. He sits very still on the flat rocky edge. After time, I see him slowly making his way to the water’s edge. He just stands there with the water lapping up over his little feet. He seems to be suspended, as if perched on the rocky cliff of a steep mountain. He is willing to wait for what is coming- food! He knows that if he is willing to wait the reward will be great and satisfying!
He is so very deliberate and quiet as he approaches the water’s edge, making his way deeper in to where the treasure is. He’s careful not to startle his catch- he waits and when they least expect it, he stretches out his neck and dives in, always coming up with a big juicy one. He holds it for a moment, as if to be taunting the fish, making it think for just a second that he might let it go. But, no! He throws it up, opens his wide mouth and down it goes! I laugh to myself observing his huge gulp as the fish made its way down.
Later that day, I was pondering the patience of that crane and his willingness to wait. Along this journey that the Lord has had Mark and me on, there was a time when I struggled with waiting on God. My heavenly Father knew that if I could ever come to the place of being willing to wait, He had a great find for me; one that would be satisfying and fulfilling. The crane’s reward for his willingness to wait was food, sustenance, the very thing he needed to give him strength and life. Once I surrendered to the wait, God brought the reward. Spiritually, the reward was peace, assurance, strength, power, and joy in the midst of difficulty, the realization of how much my heavenly Father loved me, and a story to tell others. Through the waiting, God brought about a ministry that is fulfilling and one that I know He has for us.
Our willingness to wait on our heavenly Father results in us having food and sustenance- the very strength we need for life! What is it that God is asking to wait for? Are you continually revisiting and fighting against the wait? I have a friend who told me, “Dianne, if you are willing to wait, God will give you His very best. Remember it is what He does in the waiting period that matters most.” I have found this to be very true! Once I surrendered to the waiting, He gave peace, joy, provisions, direction and fulfillment. God keeps His word. In Isaiah 64:4 it says, “Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.”