We'll wait.

"So Miriam was shut out of the camp for 7 days; and the people did not set out on the march until Miriam had been brought in again."

(Numbers 12:15)

Sometimes it's hard to live in the shadows of a giant. Miriam and Aaron knew that. Their brother, Moses, walked and talked with the Almighty. Daily. It's tough feeling like you're always playing second fiddle, so to speak. People ignore (or overlook) the gifts you bring... the value you add to the whole.

So one day they grumbled. Aaron & Miriam did. And God heard it. So God took the opportunity to call them into the principal's office... and reiterated that he had a very special relationship with Moses... followed by a "make sure you don't forget this" action plan: Miriam's hand turned leprous (NOTE: I'm not sure why Aaron didn't have any physical "lesson," but that's the way the story goes). Aaron asks for mercy & forgiveness on their behalf. And God grants it. But Miriam still has to spend 7 days "outside the camp" of Israel, per the normal regulations for "uncleanness."

I could write about "not grumbling"... or "knowing one's place in God's plan"... or "not being jealous about what God gives others," etc. But that's NOT what struck me when I read this passage. No, I was drawn to the very end of the chapter. The author tells us that while Miriam was on her 7-day-timeout, the people (as a whole) chose NOT TO MOVE... "until Miriam had been brought in again."

Now maybe it's nothing... maybe it's just a matter-of-fact statement. But to me, it speaks of loyalty and togetherness. They COULD have said, "Forget you, Miriam! We have Moses and that's enough for us. Catch up once you're clean again." No. They didn't say that. One of their own was being punished (reprimanded) for her inappropriate actions. She was "paying her price" and they were fine with that. They waited. She was one of them. They knew it wouldn't be the same without her. So they waited.

It's a powerful reminder to me. ALL OF US ARE VALUABLE AND IMPORTANT... even when we don't feel that way ourselves! Even when we screw-up and do things we're not proud of! Take your time out. Serve your penalty. Learn from your mistakes. We'll wait. We've all been there before.