Romans 8:25 – But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (NIV)

Bill was in his late seventies when I met him. He had been a fisherman all of his life, save for the war years, when he and his four brothers served in the Atlantic and Mediterranean aboard minesweeping vessels. He had a great sense of humour and a sincere faith. I always felt I was in good company whenever I visited him at home.

Time after time, he would tell me a story about his childhood. It was the morning of his tenth birthday. All year long, he had been waiting for this day to come. He had asked for a special gift from his parents when he had just turned nine, and for three hundred and sixty-five days, he had patiently hoped his request would be answered.

As he opened his eyes and sat up in bed, he saw a wonderful thing, which captivated his heart with a lifelong joy. Hanging on the side of his bedside table was a pair of boxing gloves.

"I felt as though I was the luckiest boy alive," said Bill, six decades later. His eyes were still filled with joy and his face glowed with pride. A childhood dream had been fulfilled. A parent's promise to a little child had been kept, and he basked in that gladness for the rest of his days.

The eternal love of the Lord awaits all of us who believe in Christ's redeeming name. The promises of salvation, made so long ago, will one day be fulfilled. At that precious and sacred moment in eternity, our hearts and souls will be overwhelmed with an incredible and immortal delight. Our patient waiting will be completed. Our lifelong hope will become our everlasting joy.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we patiently await the fullness of time and the return of Your glory. You have promised us salvation and granted us Your favour. Help us to share Your wonderful joy with all whom we meet and encounter today. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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