Are you good at waiting?
I don’t mean waiting tables… I’m talking bout the waiting that requires patience. Perseverance. Persistence.
Honestly, it’s not my forte.
I remember the days of my youth that I would spend WAITING for an answer– perhaps from my parents about attending a sleepover… or an answer from a scholarship committee… or a grade to come back on a test.
Waiting was painful. I would say that it was the equivalent to watching paint dry or grass grow– but at least those activities I had a general idea of what the outcome would be.
I also remember the times of waiting for a final answer when my patience ran out (what little there was to start with!) and I took things into my own hands.
Rarely (ok, almost never) did it turn out well. I usually ended up disappointed. Stressed. Embarrassed. Or in the case of waiting for answers from the parents– grounded.
Good times. Not.
In adulthood, we are often faced with the challenge of waiting for “big” answers… Waiting those two minutes for that test to turn pink/blue/two lines/happy face/etc to determine if parenthood is in your nearish future. Or waiting for that job callback. Or waiting for payday. Or waiting for a call from the doctor with some test results that you never thought you would have to face. Or waiting for… Well, you can fill in your own blank.
We wait for that final answer. And when it FINALLY arrives– Relief, glee or sadness fill our hearts, depending on what that answer is…
Yep, it’s not this easy, folks. Nice try, though.
One of my favorite quotes about this waiting game is by Henry Blackaby: “Waiting is one of the hardest yet most important things we will ever do as Christians.”
Ain’t that the truth!?!?!?
My hubby and I have been contestants in this challenging “Waiting Game” for many months now… Recently, we have received some EXTREMELY profound (AND EXCITING!) answers– Finally. But before we get to it, here are a few lessons we have learned in the process and would like to share with you…
Remember, when you are waiting for that “Final Answer” from God…
1. He is Sovereign over ALL. No circumstances, feelings, or worldly influence has the ultimate and final say in what happens… yes, our choices can sure influence the outcome, but ultimately, God has control over it all.
2. He will NOT forget about you. Yes, He has billions of children to watch over– but God is the ultimate multitasker. Just because an answer is taking longer than YOU think it should take, know that He hasn’t forgotten about you… You don’t fall through the cracks or get erased from His Heavenly planner or iCalendar. And on that note…
3. His timing is PERFECT. He sees the big picture. He knows in what ways/areas you need to grow. Hang in there and keep praying.
4. He ALWAYS answers. It might not be yes… it could be “No” or “Not Yet” or “I have something better in mind.” After all, we are only human and can only see/understand/control so much. When we are faced with an answer that we may or may not be thrilled about, we have three words for you: TRUST, TRUST, TRUST.
Over the last year or so, God has written these truths on our hearts. We have been hoping, praying, waiting for answers for months… We have fallen short several times– but God never gave up on us.
He gave us answers. We are overwhelmed with His peace.
Today, we invite you to celebrate with us as we receive those semi-final answers– FINALLY!
We have been waiting to become parents– and while we still have a few short weeks to go, it looks like this is really going to happen for us. Thank you, Jesus!
We have been waiting for my Beloved to get picked up for promotion… And as of January 1st, 2013, I am now married to a Sergeant First Class with the United States Infantry. Congrats, darling– I am SO proud of you!!
We have been waiting for orders for our new duty station… This has been a faith-growing experience, since the Army rules kept changing over the last several months as to when we may or may not know where we are headed next. Plus, a majority of Brandon’s peers had orders before us and we have been fighting the voices of this world to “Take control” and “Make things happen.” God told us to wait. It was hard. But we did.
And now we have an answer. In mid-summer 2013, we shall be relocating to Fort Lewis, Washington. That’s right. Washington state. 2,800 miles from our current home. The land of mountains, rain and raspberries. (And coffee. And seafood. And lots of other cool stuff!)
We couldn’t be more thrilled! Thank you, Jesus for this answer!
What are you waiting for today? Do you struggle with waiting? How do you cope? We would love to hear from you– comment below.
So yes, my sweet readers– waiting is one of the hardest things we will ever do as followers of Jesus… But as we wait to finally receive that answer, remember– waiting is also one of the most important things we could ever do for Him. In Him. With Him.
Worth the Wait,
SGK
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” ~Psalm 27:14
