The Discipline of Sitting

Referring to the discipline of writing, Flannery O’Connor says something to the effect that if you don’t sit there (at your desk) every day, the day “it” comes well, you won’t be there. I like what she says, although I have to admit, I have been sitting here all day with no sign of “it” coming well.

The wisdom in this advice, however, can be applied to other times of sitting.

 I am in the habit of rising before the sun, arming myself with coffee, and sitting for an hour with Lord. This is not always as spiritual as it sounds. Prayers wander, attention wavers, the dog wants to go out, and then come in. The husband sometimes comes with coffee and wants to talk; nonetheless, most days I appear at my spot on the couch and wait on the Lord.

And some days He comes well.

Yesterday morning I arrived at my spot with more coffee in my cup than faith in my heart. The night before, I had received some news that stopped up my breath and filled me with fear.  Someone I cared for deeply was in a serious state of despair, both physically and emotionally. I suspected they were losing hope, and to tell the truth, so was I.

I had prayed so often and was sure the Lord had given me specific words of healing and restoration. But this relentless downturn tempted me to consider the possibility that there would never be change. Seldom have I stared into such darkness.

Then, like a glint of light off a fleck of silica on the beach, Truth, nurtured from hours of early morning waiting and listening, flashed in my spirit. Words from Nehemiah roused me: Remember the Lord great and awesome and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, your land.

And so I prayed, not pitiful pleas of despair but prayers fat with the power of God.

A word, almost passed by, but returned to, settled in my heart . . . in their affliction they will earnestly seek my face-Hosea 5:15 and I knew my loved one would have their own God encounter.

The next day we received the phone call. The Lord had indeed intervened, had restored hope and vision for a future and a healing.

Yes, some days it seems I just show up, but I’m sure to be there when He shows up well.