In The Waiting

I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter holiday last week.

I’ve got to be honest with you. It was slightly depressing for me.

First of all, Peter wasn’t here. So that was a bummer. And then the weather was cloudy and rainy for most of the day. We went to church and then came home to a huge meal that I had cooked. I don’t know why I felt the need to cook so much when Peter isn’t here. I guess I just wanted the day to feel special. But it was a little depressing, especially after lunch when I looked at the kitchen and realized I would have to clean it.

We did end the day on a fun note though. We went to a friend’s house and the kids played for a bit. My friend Lacie has a tradition where she makes a beautiful bunny cake every Easter and we got to eat some of it this year. It was delicious and we were all astonished at her talent.

The kids were out of school for spring break so we went to Jacksonville for a few days. We needed a little getaway, and since Jacksonville is only two and a half hours away, I figured I could handle the drive by myself. We stayed on a Naval Station and the lodging is right on the water. We pretty much had the area to ourselves because it’s a private beach on a navy base.

We also decided to go to the Jacksonville Zoo while we were there. The kids were thrilled to be able to go, but for some reason they had it in their heads that there would be lots of rides. I don’t really understand what goes on in their little minds, but whatever.

When they discovered that there was only a train and a carousel, they weren’t very happy with me. And Vivi was already mad because I had made her walk through the dinosaur exhibit, which scared the mess out of her. Anyway…

We stayed at the zoo for almost three and a half hours and then we headed back to the beach. The kids loved playing in the sand and the water and I was thrilled that they are now old enough to entertain themselves.

The car ride to Jacksonville was another story, however. Vivi would not stop yelling and screaming. She asked these same questions over and over. Every 37 seconds.

Are we there yet?

Are we in Jacksonville, Florida yet?

When are we going to be there?

Are we at the hotel yet?

I just wanna be there!!!

It. Was. Delightful.

I struggled with maintaining my sanity during the drive to the beach. My responses didn’t really seem to matter to her. (Personally, I think she really just likes to hear herself complain.)

But as I was thinking about her questions, it occurred to me that I often ask the same types of things of the Lord.

God, we thought you were taking us on a different career path. Why aren’t we there yet?

How long is it going to take until you give me the baby you promised?

I have been waiting for that writing door to open for so long.

I just want this journey to be over!

Friends, are you as impatient as I am?

It is often difficult to see God’s plan when we are in the midst of a period of waiting.

It is hard to wait on His answers when we are longing for Him to show us where to go.

It’s difficult to continue waiting for a career path to open up when we know He has directed us to this calling on our heart.

Isaiah 55:8 says this: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

And Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

It’s one thing to read those words. But it’s another thing to actually believe and trust them.

So how do we trust God in the waiting?

First, remember that He has been faithful in the past; therefore, He will be faithful in the future. We can read about many instances throughout scripture where God performed a miracle and someone memorialized the event with a stone or altar. Jacob set up a stone pillar where he talked with God (Gen 35:14); Samuel placed a large stone between two cities to acknowledge God’s help and protection (1 Sam 7:12); and Joshua set up twelve stones that had been in the spot where the priests who had carried the ark of the covenant had stood in the Jordan River (Joshua 4:9). These stones were set in place for future generations to look upon and remember God’s past faithfulness.

But we don’t need to rely on Bible heroes to commemorate miracles. We too can acknowledge God’s miracles in our own lives. Keep a journal of answered prayer, buy a special piece of jewelry to help remind you of a miracle God performed in your life, hang a significant scripture on your wall. Find items that remind you of God’s past faithfulness and keep them close. Then, when life become difficult or you find yourself waiting on an answer, pull those special objects out and reflect on His purpose for you and your family.

Next, continue to pray for wisdom in the waiting. More than anything, the Lord wants us to have a relationship with Him. Keep talking to Him about your hopes and dreams. Open your heart to His whisperings. Enlist prayer warriors to petition God with you. The Lord says, “Where two or three are gathered in My name, there I will be in their midst.” (Matt 18:20)

Lastly, keep moving forward. Often, we are called to wait on the Lord. But other times He expects us to take the first step. Sometimes we need to do the next right thing. Make the next right decision. And keep our eyes on Christ. We don’t have to see the whole, big picture. We just need to take the next step.

Just like sweet Vivienne, I sometimes find it difficult to wait in anticipation. But I know that the Lord’s  destination will be amazing, if I will only trust Him with my journey.