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Key Bible Verse: Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act Psalm 37:7). Bonus Reading: 1 Samuel 13:3-14

When Blair turned 16, she wanted a car. A few weeks before Christmas, my wife, Jill, got involved: "You should buy Blair a car for Christmas."

"I don't have the money," I replied. "She'll have to wait." But every time we passed a car lot, Blair begged to stop and look. When a car commercial aired on TV, Jill would say, "Tell your tightwad father to get you one." Blair did need a car, but I wanted her to wait patiently instead of demanding. Eventually both surrendered. Jill agreed to getting Blair a CD player.

On Christmas morning Blair opened her big present. The box was filled with wood blocks, a matchbox car, and a note. "Blair," she read out loud, "It's not a CD player, but I thought you'd like this instead. Love, Dad." She opened the matchbox and held up a key.

"Take a look outside," I said.

They flung open the front door and ran squealing to the white Honda Civic parked out front. "How long have you had this?" Jill asked. "Where were you hiding it?"

"Oh, since December 8 in Bobby's garage." Now, when one of us is waiting for something, we say, "The car's in the garage!" knowing this frees us from trying to make it happen.

—Robert Stofel in God, Are We There Yet?

My Response: In which area do I need to be freed from trying to make it happen?

Thought to Apply: If the door is shut, don't put your shoulder to it. Wait till Christ takes out the key and opens it.—JOHN STOTT (British pastor)

Adapted from God, Are We There Yet? (Life Journey, 2004) by permission.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Teach me, Lord, to leash in my drive to make things happen and wait expectantly for Your move.

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