Precious mother:

What are you waiting for?  As a mother to four children, ages 19,12,9, 5 and one on the way is just a few days, I have had what seems like a lifetime’s worth of experience in waiting.

I have waited for:

• Delivery of all my children
• Finances
• Test results
• Character issues to be resolved
• Hurts to heal
• Job offers
• College admission
• A prodigal to return
• Weight loss
• A baby to gain weight
• A daughter to return home late at night
• A wedding
• Funerals
• A relationship to heal
• A garden to grow
• A pet to return

I have waited in waiting rooms, in chapels, in the privacy of my bedroom, on the porch, in the car, on the phone, online, in the hospital.

I must admit I am not always good at waiting.  Perhaps that is why the Lord in all his Sovereign grace has extended me so many opportunitites to grow in patience, dependence upon Him and true contentment.

Some of the time, waiting has been gut wrenching, painful, full of tears.  Sometimes it is with happy anticipation.  But there are one or two things that this mama of 20 years has learned:

1.  Be content.  “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we may boldly say:  “ The LORD is my helper;  I will not fear.  What can man do to me?”” – Hebrews 13:5-6 

See, I can easily get caught up in comparing my circumstances to those of others around me and feel true envy.  I can get caught into feeling shame, feeling anger, feeling confusion, and feeling defeat if I forget that The LORD himself is my helper.  With  Him in my court, I have no reason to be content.

2.  Trust that the Lord has the very best if intentions for me because of the nature of our relationship.  “For I know the plans I have for you, ” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  – Jeremiah 29:11

See, my heavenly Father sees the whole big picture.  Just like a child who does not understand why mama will not allow him to run into the street, I do not always understand the purpose, the reason, the good that can possibly come from waiting, but HE does!  He knows.  He will somehow, some way make the whole situation for my good.  Now, I have been through some sad experiences.  I have been through times when I know it would have hurt me less to be run over by a train.  I have had my heart torn so hard I could really feel like my guts would spill out at any moment from the pain of it all.  In those moments, the searing pain was so strong and seemingly unbearable, but He was always right there at my side helping me through it all.  And yes, dear sister, those times will pass.

This past year, I have seen amazing answers to prayer.  I have seen good fruit come from circumstances I did not understand.  I have had time to heal from some very unpleasant things in my life, and I have had some new things to learn to wait upon.  But, praise God, he has taught me to pray, to work, to love, to love, to love, and some days just to do the next thing.  I am not in control.  I do not see the whole picture.  I do not need to!  I have a God who LOVES me, who loves my children, and who loves my husband and that is all that matters. The rest I will leave in his hands.

Here is a link to a song that I sometimes played over and over when I needed to remember my job in all this waiting:

In case you cannot see the video, here are the lyrics:

While I’m Waiting by John Waller

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience
While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve you while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord