Already in Place

I believe that I should look

upon the goodness of the LORD

    in the land of the living!

Wait for the LORD;

be strong,

and let your heart take courage;

      wait for the LORD!

               Psalm 27. 13-14

(The exclamation points here

are not randomly placed,

  but an expression of zest

  from the poet King David,

a shepherd boy and king

  who knew in real life

        what waiting was all about.

Waiting means the time

            is not ready yet.

Actually we may not be ready yet

   to recognize, acknowledge

   and be grateful for His goodness

which comes in so many

    different shapes and packages

and mostly when we least expect.

Trust in the slow work of God.

And we might find this hard place

    brings about His goodness,

    not just for us

          but for generations to come.)

O LORD,

Just because something is hard

   does not mean that

               You are not in it,

   but deeply involved.

Even when we cannot see

     Your goodness YET,

help us to trust You

         for Your Presence with us.

Let our hearts take courage

    to walk and wait

and know that You are God.

Even in this.

Your goodness is not around the corner,

       but right here with us.

You are good.

You do good.

You do not withhold good.

We just don't recognize it yet,

   but it is unfolding all around us.