I Will Remain...

For Katiebug, and all who stay the course.

On her desk one of my little sisters has posted a covenant with God, and herself. At the bottom, just before the line upon which her signature sits the page bears the words "I will remain."
Those three words have, in the last 24 hours, resonated from my head to my feet and back again more than once, and have left me trembling in their wake.
This sister of mine, she's a boomerang, I've met my match with her. In a way unlike most of the other girls I've invested in over the years, this one is a friend, and beyond that, a sister. That is to say that the bond we have formed  goes beyond tears on a couch, or helping to guide through law school or college, we've come to a place where I realize that I want to walk through not just this, but that, the "whatever else" with her, and I am glad that because God loves us, that has occurred, and by His grace will continue to do so. It is for her sake, and by her inspiration that the following has been written.


We've all heard it, that well known, and sometimes, admittedly annoying platitude: "Patience is a virtue." Patience, with her cautious approach, and her well tied ribbon, her perfectly matched outfit and starched dress. Patience doesn't mind getting up earlier than the rest, or staying up late, she understands that the early bird does often get the worm, and yes, good things do come to those who wait.
Patience is an old soul, she bakes her cakes from scratch, her bread is homemade, she hangs her clothes on a line in the sun, she is content to wait for all things good, better, and indeed, best.

There is something about patience, though, that we often fail to recognize. She is not just waiting. She is, most often, waiting for something specific. Waiting for the sun to grow her flowers, waiting for her child to be born, or to speak her first word, waiting for provision with which to take the next step, or for the hand to hold as she journeys, deep breath in, deep breath out. Some things, like the birth of the child, or the first steps, happen on at least a semi-typical schedule, so, at least, she knows generally when the day will come. Signals, like pain, or pulling up on furniture, indicate the coming of life in the first instance, liberty in the second, and both times, all she can do is take a deep breath and wait...she knows...the wait is almost over. She says to herself "I have no choice but to remain, here I wait" She watches, as liberty comes in the form of a small someone finding her feet, and taking her walk. She listens, as life emerges with an earth shattering cry.

But, what of the times when Patience could get distracted? What of the days when she doesn't have to wait for life, or liberty, just for what's next? It is those days in which she is not forced to wait, diligently, breath after breath, watching, listening, it is those days, when she doesn't have something specific to wait for, that she is tested most. In those days, Patience can be tempted, tempted to wander the darker, more treacherous roads of "now" than the bountiful flower laden roads of "soon enough", and at the end of "soon enough" comes "long awaited" where a house that welcomes Patience sits waiting for her heart to rest and abide forever. Patience is a virtue, and I'm learning she is less annoying than I often give her credit (or discredit) for. I am thankful, SO thankful, for Patience, and for the house that sits at the end of the road to "long awaited." I know it's there. I am thankful too for the little sister I so love, who reminded me that the road to long awaited is a road so worthy of traveling that I could not even comprehend the glory of what waits beyond right now. I am grateful that Patience understands the importance of steadfast and wholehearted focus on the road to long awaited. I am grateful that she is constant, and that she reminds me that "I will remain" because one day the nations will run in my direction, and I figure I should be waiting for them.

Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David. See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
    a ruler and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon nations you know not,
    and nations you do not know will come running to you,
because of the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has endowed you with splendor.” Isaiah 55:3-5

Remaining,
Courtney