We almost bought a truck this weekend. On a whim, we decided to check out a local dealer's super sale. And we found a beauty. The doors were unlocked, so we got in. It fit. It was roomy. The leather seats were comfy, and it had more buttons than we could figure out. It was more than we'd ever wanted.

The salesman felt sure he could make the sale. He pushed us to take a test drive. Ooh, that was nice. Smooth, powerful, more than we needed. We were tempted.

But wait!

It was more. More room, more power, more options, more money. Much more money.

And most of all, it just wasn't the right time.

Other things had to happen before we could even consider buying a vehicle. They hadn't. So we said no, thank you, to the eager salesman. With some regrets, I admit.

We have to wait.

It made me think about the oh, so many times God has told me to wait. And I don't like waiting. I want things to happen quickly. But unlike me, God sees the big picture. He knows what's best and what's harmful. And he knows the perfect timing. 

Like those things that have to happen before we're ready to buy a truck. But I still don't like to wait.

Then I remember that there can be joy in waiting. Waiting and anticipation go hand in hand. When our dreams are fulfilled immediately, we miss out on the anticipation of waiting. The hope, and the joy of hope fulfilled.

But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:24-25)

I don't want to be like a spoiled child who demands everything NOW. I want to learn to wait patiently, especially for God's perfect will to be revealed in my life and the lives of those I love..

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:25-26)

Help me, Lord. Help me, Lord, to wait.

There is one passage of Scripture that I have never liked. It gives me chills. Don’t get me wrong. I love God’s Word; it’s just
these few verses that tumble like spiked marbles inside my head every time I read them.

Hebrews 6:4-6. “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be
brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”

My heart thuds. It twists in fear. 
 
Does this mean my prayers are in vain? For years I have prayed for loved ones who have turned their backs on God. 
 
Is God shaking his head? “No. Sorry. Can’t do that.”

I am so confused. The God I seek to know is the same God who passionately pursued his people Israel. Even after they turned on him again and again.

So how does this fit? What do these verses mean – for me and my loved ones? I was brought up in a church that preached eternal security: once saved, always saved. I would love to believe that, but these verses seem to contradict that teaching.

What is truth? Jesus is Truth, and I trust him.


But I’m still
confused.

"Just use your smart phone to..." Nope. I don't have one.
 
"Make a video trailer  with your phone..." See above.

"Follow this person on Twitter." Sounds like a waste of time, especially when my computer is downstairs, on a desk, pretty much immoveable.

"Build your platform." My husband is the carpenter, not me. And how does a fiction writer figure out her platform, anyway?

"Gather your tribe." HUH? I have a tribe? I used to, but they grew up and moved out. Why would I want another tribe?

"Run a contest." How? What in the world would I offer?

You get the picture. The world of technology has long ago passed me by. And yet I want to be published. Not pay-your-own-way published, but by a real publishing house with editors and all those wonderful people who want to help me succeed so they make money.

Is that too much to ask?

Maybe it is, for a technosaur.

I'd love to hear your comments.