After finishing my post last night and shutting down my computer, Ray and I read our nightly devotional together. As I read the scripture outloud it was speaking loudly and lovingly to my heart. Papa is so loving.
I want to share it here. We were reading from the "Life Recovery Bible". The passage is found in the first chapter of First Peter. It is one of my favorite books of the Bible!

"All praise to God, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance-an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by His power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see."
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

His Word is a love letter to those who love Him. You can count me in that group!
Such precious promises! See - the story does end well!
And the result of persevering? Praise, glory and honor! Gifts that I can bring to my King.
All praise, honor and glory to my precious Savior!
Salvation ushered me into His Kingdom immediately and is being revealed more fully every day. The culmination will be when I see Him face-to-face.
That is worth waiting for and makes all of it worthwhile!