But I Want it Now!

Waiting is hard!  It seems like in every area of my life right now the running theme is "wait" and the lessons God is so desperately trying to teach me is Patience.  Those close to me know that sometimes it takes me awhile to learn to these lessons.

I think this picture pretty much sums up a lot of America.  I work in a preschool/after school and around kids all day.  I have teenagers.  I have friends.  I know myself.  I can see that waiting can be difficult.  Now, I know a lot of people who don't mind the hard work to achieve something.  That's not what I am talking about but seriously, that is what texting, instant messaging, prepackaged food all has had a part in instant gratification ... but how many times have you quickly shot off a text and then regretted that you didn't take a little more time to think about what you said?  People just have a hard time waiting.

I remember when I was a little girl, growing up in Michigan; Spring time was always special because my parents took me shopping to get my Easter dress and bonnet.  One year I found the most beautiful and perfect purse that I really wanted.  It was a crocheted, cream colored purse without a strap (you know, like the big girls carried).  Can you believe my mom told me to "WAIT"!?!?!  She tried to teach me that sometimes you can walk away, think about it and see if that is something that you really wanted.  I am trying to instill that lesson into my children but seriously, I still have a difficult time waiting (for some things).

Psalm 103:5 "He fills my life with good things."  My life really is filled with good things and I am thrilled that He loves me so much that He has a store house of blessings ready to continually pour down on me.

A couple years ago God gave me an extra special gift.  He brought an incredible man into my life.  This man wasn't just any man.  God did a great job on him.  He taught me things that I had never experienced before in a dating relationship.  He respected me.  He honored me.  He showed me that I was worthy of being treated that way.  Best of all, he had this gift of being able to calm me perfectly!

He had his life planned out ... was focused on the job he had to do ... and I showed up as a pleasant but unexpected surprise.  Haha, yes!  That is how God sometimes likes to work.  We have a plan but God has a better plan.

He's the one who taught me what it is like to be on the "pathway"...to simply trust.  His one last act before we decided to just "be still" and let God work on us was to actually take me to the park and go on the actual pathway.  My routine was always to walk from my house to the park and back home.  Sometimes I would go sit at the picnic tables for a bit and think, talk to God or "visit" with my mom.  For the first time ever, he took me through the trails and I experienced the park in a way I never have before.  He gave me the courage to walk it alone and it's been such a healing experience and I have learned so many lessons as I walk and talk to God.  When I try to escape my thoughts that are chaotic in my head and I just need to sort it out I head to my park.  

When one allows God to work through him to be His arms and calm you perfectly you can have some tough moments trying to "let go" and just be still.  He gave me a great gift ... but I know that what God has planned for the next chapter of my story will be even better and that, my friends, is absolutely mind blowing.  Whether He sends someone else ... or works on us both to become a better 'us' ... or chooses to have me remain single He has a plan.

I have many friends who are in the same waiting period.  Waiting IS hard.  Just know that He is working on His plan and putting everything into place.  There's no way He has forgotten you.  We just need to keep our eyes on Him, our first Love and let Him keep working on us to be the best we can be.  Oh yeah, and praise Him during this time!

While I'm Waiting ... 

And, While I'm Waiting I Will Pray For You 

Until next time ... Trust that He really is working