“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 NKJV
Mildred Marzella Hamm – my mom’s mom, my Mimi and the woman I was named after. How I adored her.
My Mimi was sick most of my growing up life. I remember how she struggled with pain yet never complained. Her life story is one of resilience and faith. I have many stories I could share about her, but this passage stands out as my favorite because it is one of the first passages I memorized. See, Isaiah 40:31 was her favorite verse. She had it written prominently where she could read it and repeated it often. And, in keeping with the verse, the eagle was her favorite bird. To her, it wasn’t just a nice sentiment. It was her life verse. She lived it. She stood on it. She believed it. And, she realized it February 13, 1989.
I’m sure she didn’t realize the impact it would have on me years later. After she died and my depression reached an all time high, it was one verse I would return to, one I would readily quote – even over the ever so famous John 3:16. For years I would quote it. I would see an eagle and be reminded of her and of His promises. And when I got saved, it became my truth.
“But they that wait” is one word in the Hebrew: qâvâh – and means to bind together (perhaps by twisting); to expect:—gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).
I imagine being twisted around Him – like a baby sloth to it’s momma – clinging for life, unwilling and unable to let go. I find strength when I stop striving and just wait on Him – resting, watching, hoping, looking to Him patiently. I will remember how my Mimi clung to Him above all others and I will stir my faith. She waited and received the ultimate healing. I will wait too.
Father – thank You for a godly heritage. Thank You for how You sustained Mimi and for giving me 17 years with her. May her legacy live through me. You are good and You keep doing good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Isaiah 40-43
July 26, 2022
Marci Purtell
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