Elisabeth Adams

If I were to guess which of my articles has prompted the most personal contact from my readers, I’d say it’s “One Single Day,” in which I confessed my desire to be married — and affirmed the joy and satisfaction I found, even in unwanted singleness.

That was five years ago.

Since then, hope and disappointment have sifted my motives and made me hungry for Jesus. I’m learning to shun covetousness and indifference, exhibit integrity and respect, and embrace the responsibility I have for my brother in Christ.

But to be honest, all the almost-maybes — all the question marks that have crossed my relational horizon — well, sometimes they make me feel like this:

Let me clarify: it’s not the people I meet that are frustrating; it’s the process!

It’s like making a phone call you hope will be life-changing… and reaching an automated system that leaves you on hold. For forever. (Give or take a little).

It’s like praying for a job, and the Lord sends five years’ worth of interviews instead. You say “Thanks Lord, but really, I just need one. The right one. Would You mind sending it along soon?”

If you’re feeling like this, then I wrote “Heart on Hold” for you.

In the last few weeks, I’ve been tested on the principles I had just finishing writing about…in ways that would make you laugh, and scratch your head in puzzlement, and groan in sympathy. I’ve had to hang on tight to my sense of humor, and my trust in God.

I even found a “parade” like the one I wrote about… in the pages of the Bible: When Samuel goes in search of Israel’s next king, God sends him to the scrubby village of Bethlehem, where some guy named Jesse parades his sons by, one by one, and none of them are right!

“This one, Lord?” Samuel prays as he sees the tall, handsome firstborn.

“No,” the Lord says. “I know he looks good, but I see the heart. He’s not the right one.”

“This one?” Samuel wants to know, as the second guy walks by.

The parade continues, and God gives him seven “No” answers.

“Is this all you’ve got?” Samuel finally says to Jesse. (Was he tempted to think God had sent him on a wild goose chase? Was he tempted to whine…just a little?)

“Oh right,” Jesse says,  snapping his fingers. “I do have another son.” And someone runs out to the back pasture to get the future king of Israel.

Friends, I don’t think following Jesus is meant to be easy and predictable. I think it’s meant to have plot twists and suspense and surprises. I think it’s meant to make you stout-hearted and saucer-eyed. As uncomfortable as it can be, I think we are meant to read our life-stories while sitting on the edges of our seats.

I really hope, as you read this article, that you’ll realize you’re not alone!

Feel free to join the conversation about it over here.

Special thanks to Bria, Anita, Lisa, and Sarah, wise friends who read early drafts, and provided encouragement and direction! Also to the friend who allowed me to share a photo of her delightfully expressive daughter. And to folks like Bob Sorge, who inspire me to greater trust in my precious friend, Jesus.