Last night, I saw West Side Story for the first time ever – and I was surprised by how many songs I already knew. One song though ( “Something’s Coming”) was completely new to me.

And yet, still today it lingers in my mind.

Could be
Who knows?
There’s something due any day
I will know right away
Soon as it shows
It may come cannonballin’ down through the sky
Gleam in its eye
Bright as a rose!
Who knows?
It’s only just out of reach
Down the block, on a beach
Under a tree
I got a feeling there’s a miracle due
Gonna come true
Could it be?
Yes it could.
Something’s coming.
Something good.

I’m going to let you in on a personal secret and throw out a humble-brag at the same time: I throw an excellent pity party. Well, excellent as in awful. First, the complaining thoughts start to roll in. Next, the nostalgia for times past barge in the door to join in. Then finally, present-day question marks of how, when and where gather around and refuse to leave. And me, well by that time, I am way outnumbered and can usually be found hiding under the covers and perhaps joined by a jar of Nutella.

Yes, pity parties are too easy a talent when you’re searching for a job and can’t land one. Or perhaps, when you are trying to move somewhere new but the prospects are grim, when you are the last of your friends to get married, are trying to have a baby, but can’t get pregnant, failing in a new business that was your great dream, are seriously ill, but have much to live for. Pity parties are easy, but they’re also an escape. They make us the tragic hero and all the world our enemy. They are opportunities to mourn our lack of power (with all the emphasis and focus on the self) instead of honoring the God who holds all power and plans in His hands. 

I’m tired of pity parties and I’m tired of backing away from His promises to provide. It’s tempting to believe that because I can’t see His provisions, they don’t exist. But the truth is, He is good, He is faithful and I am still breathing.  Something is coming. Something good.

I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:13-14

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalms 130:5-6