Strength in the Waiting

When I was growing up as a young girl I remember many times hearing adults say "Don't pray for patience because you can be sure the Lord will test that". So, as silly as it sounds I found myself as a young girl being very careful not to "pray for patience." As an adult I better understand now that God does not just create situations or trails in our life just to teach us something, but rather takes the trails that we all face in our lives and uses them to build our character and to strengthen us - if we allow him too.
I would have to say that this past year for me and my family has been filled with numerous trials. A house that still sits for sale after 9months, slowing work, a brother in Iraq, Brian's back surgery, praying about where we go from here as a family.... as these circumstances in our life began to unfold this past year I found myself seeking God, asking a lot of "why's and what now" questions. Much of our circumstances were out of my control and many times we have had to just wait and see how God would answer. But that waiting can be so hard at times. 
One morning, during the spring of this year, I found myself reflecting on "waiting" and having patience. I knew that I didn't want to just sit and say (sigh)"Well, Lord just give me patience....I'll hang in there....you'll answer sometime....(sigh)! No, I wanted to move through these trials and situations with strength and purpose even if I didn't always know how it was going to turn out. I didn't want to find myself at the end of the day saying "well, good I made it through another day". 
So I began to ask the Lord "how should I pray then, how do you want me to walk through this time"? And what I felt the Lord saying to me was "Pray for strength in the waiting." That was my WOW moment. Yes, strength in the waiting, that is what I desired. Webster defines strength as "the state or quality of being strong, durability, the power to resist attack." I began to see our situation in a whole different light, I felt I could pray with purpose and hope, because I knew that God would give me strength for each new situation that we would face. I may not have all the answers, or know exactly how it was all going to work out, but He did and does. The verse from Isaiah has continued to resonate in my heart this last year; Isaiah 40:29,31 "He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. "But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." 
There are plenty of days where I feel weak and tired and just not sure I can take one more day, but then this verse comes to mind and I know that as I come before his throne with my weakness and lack of strength then He will be my strength, he will hold me up, and he will help me walk another day...but not just walk, but walk with purpose, with strength and even to fly.
I beleive each of us has a time in our lives when we need that strength that only God can give. Maybe for you it's not waiting but mayge it strength in being a mom, strength as a wife, strength in healing, strength in grief, strength in your health....the list can go on and on. 
I encourage you to take time today to ask for that strength...He will not fail you because His word promises that His strength is ours. 
So go ahead...Go ahead and Fly!!