Have you heard that song Take Courage by Kristene DiMarco? It starts like this…
Slow down, take time Breath in He said He'd reveal what's to come The thoughts in His mind Always higher than mine He'll reveal all to come Take courage my heart Stay steadfast my soul He's in the waiting He's in the waiting Hold onto your hope As your triumph unfolds He's never failing He's never failing....
If you haven’t heard it, it is worth a listen! But for some reason… IT’S IN THE WAITING is a really hard concept for me. Most of you who know me know I am NOT the most patient of people. I think my mom calls me a ‘Rora Dora Steam Roller’ Now I am not sure what Rora Dora is… but Steam Roller isn’t exactly the term I want to be remembered for. But… it is often true.
I am famous for seeing something at a garage sale, FB marketplace, or on the side of the road and saying to myself I NEED THAT. I don’t have space for it, I don’t have time for that, but it could be something beautiful. I have filled my home and outbuildings with things that I didn’t need because I didn’t have the patience to trust God would provide it when I did need it… or to maybe recognize that I really didn’t need it at all.
Stephen and I (fondly- HA!) recall the time when the boys were little and we had friends come over with the plan to head to the local pool and swim. Wouldn’t you know it, a Thunderstorm rolled in and squashed our well-laid plans. Now, a typical thunderstorm in Texas may last 15-30 minutes but they usually blow through rather quickly. However, with my lack of PATIENCE, I came up with a better plan… to take the kiddy pool upstairs to our all tile bathroom and let them play! It was perfect and fun, squeals of joy were heard forever until Titus came back upstairs and said “Mom it’s raining in the hallway.”
Now maybe your stories aren’t that extreme, but I think we can all say that we have times in our lives where it is hard to be patient. To trust God for that job, those bills to be paid, for a husband, kids, or even that long line at the grocery store or school pick up. This season for me has definitely been a season of slowing down and waiting and it can be uncomfortable. I want to kick it into overdrive and help it all along. I want to help God along. Wow… did I really say that?
Finding a house for the family… plugging into the right ministry area… slowing down at the ministries I am doing… is a challenge. But it is worth it. God is doing a real work in my heart. I am starting to think of others in a way I haven’t before. To be able to listen to others actively, live a little more intentionally, and maybe even trust that God can do a better job of it than I can. So, whatever your season, I hope you know that I am praying for you. I would love to be someone you call to talk to or pray through times of waiting- the hope, dreams, despair, doubt… no matter what point you are at.
Take courage my heart Stay steadfast my soul He's in the waiting He's in the waiting Hold onto your hope As your triumph unfolds He's never failing
Much love to you!