“The LORD said to (Elijah), “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there….” (1 Kings 19:15).

Right now, I can really relate to Elijah in this particulate passage of scripture. One minute he was running from his enemy, hiding in a cave, and crying out to the Lord. And the next minute God was sending him on his way to his next assignment.

Waiting rooms. That seems to be the way life goes in most waiting rooms—you may sit there for hours, days, weeks, or even years. Then, one day, it’s over! You’re on the road to the next life-changing event, maybe a crisis or even an adventure—like a new job, relationship, or home.

That’s where I am right now—going forward to the next phase of my life, just like Elijah. Suddenly, I’m being called out of my safe, little hideaway, and I'm on the road to the next adventure.

I’ve been hiding in my cave for months now—fearful of any new commitments or change, crying out to the Lord for guidance, and waiting for clear direction for my future. Now, new direction requires a change of location and many decisions. So, I’m leaving my cave and traveling down a new road. 

Road to recovery. Maybe it’s best that life works this way after the waiting room. The winds of life pick you up and move you forward. And the sudden rush of the winds leave you with no quality time to spend over-analyzing the situation.

Yet I do want to take a moment to express my gratitude for my new adventure and for the lessons I learned in my cave. Although I don’t want to re-live this last waiting room experience, I did learn some tremendous truths in the process. And even though I still battle some of the same old enemies of my mind, I know I’ve become an overcomer now, and not just a survivor.  

So, just call me “Eliza”!

[BTW, my middle name is “Elizabeth.” Just saying…]

On the road again and BLESSED,                                        

Eliza (i.e. Karen)


Photos/Dan Jordan

Can you think of any lessons you learned in the waiting rooms of life? I'd love to hear your comments!!! Again, just saying...