Waiting

Have you ever been in a season of waiting? I’ve been in a season of waiting recently and, I confess, I haven’t been very gracious about it. I’m learning to go deeper with my “real and transparent” responses to life so, while I would love to say that I’ve been gifted with Mother Theresa qualities of patience, it just isn’t so! However, I’ve discovered that in the honest recognition of a very real situation, the Lord is faithful to walk with me. He doesn’t shame me into false joy.

When I get impatient with the delays that are out of my control – or even beyond my influence – He invites me into peace as I wait. When I get frustrated by the ever-growing list of things that are waiting to get done, He invites me to shift my gaze to what has been accomplished. And once the delays are finally removed and the overwhelm of that long to-do list sets in, He reminds me that His timing is perfect for each task. He is teaching me to praise Him at the end of each day for what is done and for what is left undone. He is teaching me that all of it is submitted to His timeline which, by the way, is perfect.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Yes, He reminds me that His timing, His involvement, His yeses and nos are all for my good simply because I have been called according to His purpose. I made the decision to follow Christ several years ago and I have spent each day ever since learning how to do that! Even in my lack of understanding about what that looks like, it doesn’t stop the promises He has spoken. His promise to work all things for my good is not contingent on how patient I am. Instead, He calls me closer and fulfills His promises to me as I grow in my faith. 

So, I keep walking. I continue to be honest with Him about, well, everything! I continue to learn and grow and rest in His promises. I continue to trust His timing – doing my best not to run ahead of Him or plop my bum on the ground and pout when things go differently than I thought they should. Although either option may be tempting in the moment! Instead, each moment I try to trust Him more knowing that He is faithful and trustworthy. And in response, He continues to love me into true joy. He is our loving Father who knows the beginning and end of time…and every second in between. He knows His plans to unfold circumstances for our good. And each move of His hand is another whisper reminding us that…

You are adored.