I started meeting with some ladies from my seminary last fall. I knew some of them fairly well, some vaguely, and some not at all. For the past year, we’ve met fairly regularly, with a break during the summer. We’ve talked about the Bible and our lives and have prayed for one another. Over time, I’ve grown to really love each of these ladies.

We just started meeting again after our summer break last Saturday. It wasn’t a typical meeting (as if there is such a thing). Instead we focused on catching up. I realized in all the stories and news that so much has happened in the last year! One person got engaged. Another started a now serious relationship. I had a baby. A couple people have started new jobs. One person lost an important ministerial role. We prayed for one another about and through these things.

As I reflect on how much has happened in the past year, I realize just how quickly things can change. It never seems that way in the midst of waiting or trials, though, does it? As we prayed for one another, there were times that it seemed nothing was changing. It seemed like all hope was lost and our waiting would simply stretch on forever, like a lonely country road.

Once again, I’m reminded of the big picture.

All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.

Psalm 30:4-5

Thank you, God, for your incredible faithfulness. Thank you that you’re at work even when we can’t (or won’t) see it. Amen.