21 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; Psalm 130:5

The musical symbol you see here is called a “fermata.” When you see it over a note in music it means to “hold or pause.” And, if you crave control then the next question is “How long is the pause?” The answer… it depends.

This entire season of our lives has been a fermata. We want definite answers for our timeline because, trust me, we ALL have a timeline. We have things to do and people to see. We’ve planned our lives out perfectly and we don’t need something like a silly fermata to get in our way. Or maybe we do.

I wait for the Lord. The root word for wait in Hebrew is qavah. It means to wait for, to stretch, and even the tension of enduring. Has there been some tension in your enduring this season. I mean, “How long is this really going to take?”

I don’t want to waste this fermata. I don’t want to miss the life lessons the Holy Spirit is teaching me. He is stretching me. He is pulling me out of my comfort zone. I am becoming acutely aware of how much we all need connection in this current landscape. I am reminded of the power of a thoughtful text. And I love my neighbor’s baked goods… Want to know how we met them? At the mailbox when Marea asked Mrs. Barbara if she needed anything at the store. And now every week, like clockwork, a new recipe and smiles had by all when we see one another.

There is another side of the fermata. It’s a side that reminds me of my lack of control in any given situation. You see, the fermata means that something is going to be held longer than intended. And unless I’m the Conductor, I don’t get to decide.

What life lessons have you learned in this “season of the fermata?” It’s all about perspective. Has this season derailed everything or have we learned from it? Has our time been wasted or have we grown? The fermata will eventually end… How will we be remembered when this season has passed?

May we be found waiting in the Lord as He continues to “hold” us in His strength and power. Be hope-filled today, friends!

Can’t wait to share with you this weekend!

We are Central… and we’re in this TOGETHER!

SOLI DEO GLORIA

-F