A Parable of Hungry Patience
My husband and I are attempting to buy a house. I say attempting, because although our offer has been accepted, we’re under contract, and all the inspections have been passed, there’s an issue with the title. This is an ongoing issue that has resulted in two delayed closing dates, with no end in sight.
When, Lord, will this be over? Please, if it’s Your will, let us hear back soon that all is well, that the sale can proceed, that there will be no more delays …
This has been my plea for weeks now, yet the delay continues. As I was praying yet again to the Father about this situation, a fully-fleshed story unfolded before me in peaceful, comforting detail.
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time there was a very little girl. And she was hungry!
As she sat in the living room playing with her beloved Raggedy Ann doll, lovely smells were drifting in from the kitchen. Juicy turkey, pungent cranberry, comforting cinnamon and apple, pumpkin pie and creamy, creamy butter, which she knew would be hand-dripped into the mashed sweet potatoes created by her Father.
The little girl’s stomach was making all sorts of queer noises—grumbling, rumbling, bubbly with hunger. Her insides were quite noisy, and beginning to cramp up with emptiness. Unable to stand it any longer, she scrambled to the kitchen, Raggedy Ann still clutched in her arms.
“Daddy, I’m so so hungry!” she said, looking up—far, far up—into the jolly eyes of her Father. “I’m really hungry. Can I have a candy bar? Just a little one?” She eyed the bowl of Bixby Chocolates set on the counter, awaiting the guests who would soon be visiting her Father’s house.
Her Daddy reached down to scoop her into his large, warm arms. “My little girl,” he said, his voice full of concern and love. “I understand that you’re hungry and I never want you to suffer. But our feast will be ready soon, and then you can eat all you want!”
“But I want something to eat now!”
Stroking her hair softly, the Father responded, “If you have a candy bar now, you won’t be able to enjoy the banquet. Your belly will be too full and you’ll either not want to eat all the tasty food—food which will nourish your body far more than a candy bar—or, if you do try to eat more, you’ll end up getting sick. Truly, waiting just a little bit longer is for the best. Just a half hour, that’s all.”
A half hour! A half hour felt like forever to the little girl. Why, an entire TV show could be watched in a half hour! She began to shake her head, but then she remembered: her Daddy always took care of her. He’d never let her starve before, why should this time be any different? She hugged Raggedy Ann tight to her chest, just as her Daddy continued to hold her against his chest.
“Ann is hungry too,” she finally said with the biggest smile she could muster—which wasn’t much, because she was so hungry, but at least it was something. “I think I’ll go color so we can forget about our bellies. Until it’s time to eat. Soon?”
She needed to hear her Daddy say it again. Just one more time. Soon, very very soon my little girl.
Which was exactly what he said, just as she’d known he would.
The little girl went off to play with her doll, but her belly was still empty and hurt even more. Soon? How soon? She could barely stand it, but she’d try. Her Daddy had said it wouldn’t be long before they would eat, and she had to believe that. Even though the time passed so slowly—it surely didn’t feel like soon—she trusted him.
When her Daddy finally came to get her, to tell her it was time to eat, the feast turned out even better than she’d imagined. Everyone was there, all the best people—her brothers and sisters, cousins and grandparents, and loads of friends. And Mamma, of course Mamma was there! They’d all shown up for the feast, and the large dining room table was overflowing with food and laughter. Daddy had even made crispy fried potatoes—her favorite!
But, best of all, she was allowed the place of honor at the table. There were so many people in her Father’s house that there was no chair left for her, but that didn’t bother Daddy one bit. He scooped his little girl onto his lap, his arms encircling her as he cut the turkey. Then, with the utmost love and care, as she rested her head safely upon his chest, her Father fed her with His own hands. Morsel by morsel, succulent and sweet, He fed her until she had all she needed. Then, with her head against His chest, she fell into a deep, untroubled sleep. As she slept, a phrase kept repeating in her dreams. The words were His—her Father’s—and they brought her great comfort.
Soon. Very soon, my little girl. Soon.
What a very lovely tale. Thank you for sharing this grace with us. I hope the wait for you isn't too painful 💙
Jenny, thank you for writing. God is feeding many through you.