Pictured above is my husband Kenya Hobbs speaking at a local event on behalf of the mayor of Buffalo, New York, Byron W. Brown. He serves in Brown’s administration and really enjoys the honor of working alongside the first African American mayor our city has ever elected.
I so wanted to be with him on this particular night, but we both agreed that visiting mom in the hospital was more important. So Kenya went ahead and carried out his duties that evening, while I spent quality time with my mother, Annie, who was just discharged yesterday after a month-long stay.
To God be the glory!
As I celebrated her wonderful medical report and subsequent release, I received news from my medical team that didn't quite excite me the same way. You see, I had lots of tests run on me this week, which is why I've missed blogging (I missed it badly!). Although I'm definitely on the mend, medical reports show that I have quite a ways to go to build my body back up. And I have to intensify my rehabilitation, again.
I'll spare you all the boring details, but let's just say I'm being forced to scale back a few of my plans.
I was preparing to announce an upcoming tour; fulfill postponed speaking engagements; confirm guest appearances at a few business conferences; and complete some regional and national television tapings that have been pushed back for a while now.
I was ready to do all these things--so I thought-- until I heard the doc say, "Mrs. Hobbs, you're coming along nicely, but you're not quite there yet. If you push yourself too hard, you'll end up regressing instead of progressing."
After praying about it all, I know in my spirit the time is coming for my full release and recovery, but that time is not yet. No matter what my itinerary says, God has the final say, and He has blessed me too much to allow impatience to set me back. Amen?
Thankfully, there are some things I can do, but modifications to my schedule must be made.
In the midst of it all, I know God’s divine timing is best and it’s something we all must be willing to submit to. So today, I’m adding some patience based on Luke 21:19 into your cup of inspiration. That particular scripture says, “In your patience possess ye your souls.”
The word “patience” in this passage means constancy or perseverance in sustaining afflictions.
Can you persevere through trials, endure hardness, submit to God’s timing, stay the course, and trust God to pull you through?
That’s the real meaning of patience—something I’m getting a detailed lesson in, with no cliffs notes! But with the help of the Lord, I’m waiting on Him and you can do the same. It might be uncomfortable and there will inevitably be times when you won’t know quite what God is doing. I can promise you that!
That’s why today’s cup will quench the parched palates of those of us who are enduring waiting periods that leave us feeling perpetually stuck in the abyss called “the meantime.” I encourage you to join me in meditating on Psalm 27:14 that says, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage , and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”
Lord, I trust your timing, though I don’t always understand it. As you utilize this season of testing to build my patience and endurance, I say yes to Your sovereign will. And above all else, I remain confident that You know what’s best for me and I rejoice in the unfailing truth that Your divine purpose will prevail. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, empower, and encourage you!
