17. October 2026

While We Wait: Longing, Loss and the Reclamation of the Temple

Waiting is something we all experience.

We wait for news, for healing, for reconciliation, for opportunities, for promises to be fulfilled. We wait for children to be born, for loved ones to return, for circumstances to change, and sometimes for dreams that have lived quietly within us for decades to find their moment.

Some waiting is accompanied by joyful anticipation. Other waiting is painful, exhausting, and deeply lonely.

And then there is the longing that remains unanswered.

What happens when the door never opens? When the answer is not what we hoped? When the years pass, and what once seemed within touching distance becomes increasingly remote?

We speak often of the joy of fulfilment, but perhaps not enough about the courage required to live with unfulfillment, or unrequited answers.

The Cost of Waiting

Waiting can take its toll.

We may begin with confidence, enthusiasm and expectation. But prolonged uncertainty can gradually erode our strength. We become weary, distracted, discouraged, or even resentful.

Sometimes, without realising it, we begin withdrawing from what I call the bank of health.

We make withdrawals from our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual reserves, assuming there will always be enough to sustain us.

We neglect rest. We overlook warning signs. We postpone the things that nourish us. We continue giving, serving, producing and striving, while forgetting that our reserves are not inexhaustible.

And eventually, the deficit becomes apparent.

But is the waiting itself always responsible for our depletion? Or have we sometimes neglected to care for ourselves while waiting?

The Reclamation

Recently, I wrote a poem that became a song: The Reclamation of the Temple.

It emerged from a recognition that the body, mind and spirit are not separate compartments to be attended to whenever convenient. They belong to the whole person, wonderfully created by God.

The poem acknowledges neglect, depleted reserves and the deception of believing that we can continue indefinitely without replenishment.

But it does not end in condemnation.

It turns towards mercy.

Towards repentance.

Towards the possibility of change.

The Reclamation of the Temple

I am working on myself—
Physically,
Spiritually,
Mentally.

I am Your temple,
Your handmaid.
Forgive, Lord...
Where I have neglected
This duty.

I hacked into the bank of health
And squandered its reserves.
I didn’t know
The deficit
Would be so great...

You came seeking
Produce,
Fruit,
Strength,
Growth.
I had nothing left to give.

The enemy tried to end me.
Gave me a tool
To scam myself

The deception was so great,
I took it gladly...
Then realised...

Sorry...

I saw in time.
You showed me—in mercy.

I have turned a corner
For change,
For better.

I take steps towards
Wholeness...
I am returning.

It’s not too late.

The message is simple: we may not be able to change everything around us, but by God's grace, we can begin attending to what has been entrusted to us.

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Caring for them is not merely an exercise in self-improvement; it is an expression of stewardship and gratitude towards our Creator.

And sometimes, reclaiming the temple begins with the smallest decision.

To rest.

To pray.

To seek help.

To forgive.

To nourish ourselves.

To begin again.

Fulfilment in Unexpected Places

Perhaps one of the difficulties of waiting is that we become so focused on a particular outcome that we overlook what is already growing around us.

We imagine fulfilment as an arrival, a destination, a completed journey.

Yet fulfilment may also be found in obedience, in renewed strength, in restored relationships, or in the quiet assurance that we have not been abandoned.

This does not mean that every loss can be explained away, or that every disappointment conceals a greater earthly reward.

Some things remain unresolved.

Some prayers are answered differently from our expectations.

Some longings accompany us throughout our lives.

And still, grace is present.

The apostle Paul knew something of this when he pleaded for the removal of his thorn in the flesh. The answer he received was not its removal, but the assurance:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Living in the Not Yet

So, while we wait, let us not abandon ourselves.

Let us resist the temptation to measure the worth of our lives solely by what has or has not been achieved.

Let us remember that we are not simply waiting to become useful, whole or worthy when some future event finally occurs.

There is life to be lived today.

There is mercy to be received today.

There is a temple to be tended today.

And perhaps, even before the answer comes, something beautiful can begin to be reclaimed.

A question for reflection

What have you neglected while waiting for something else to happen? And what might God be inviting you to reclaim today?

Let's stay connected

We would love to hear from you! Has this reflection spoken to your heart, or have you experienced a season of waiting that shaped your faith? Share your thoughts in the comments, connect with us, and become part of the growing Dove Collection community. Your story may be the encouragement someone else needs today.

More from The Dove Collection

There is more to come! We are looking forward to sharing Whispers of Grace: The Eleventh Hour, a collection of poetry and reflections inviting readers into deeper spiritual contemplation, and The Shenley Chronicles, a delightful collection of children's stories. Visit www.thedovecollection.com for updates, forthcoming releases and a glimpse of what is ahead.

Discover and Share The Seasons of Life

Have you discovered The Seasons of Life? Through poetry, we explore the joys, sorrows, challenges and triumphs that shape our human experience. Available on Amazon, it may be just the companion you or someone you love needs for this season. We invite you to read, reflect, leave a review and share it with others. Every recommendation helps these words reach another heart.

With love and blessings,

P. Nelson-Stephens
The Dove Collection — Where Faith Finds Its Voice.

Find The Seasons of Life on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Seasons+of+Life+Pearline+Nelson-Stephens

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