Every morning, I meet the Lord at our special place. I have my coffee {with vanilla creamer}, my notebook, and my Bible with me. I have my Bible reading schedule, too! I sometimes read other books, like If by Amy Carmichael or Suffering and Death: The Saint’s Highest Calling, after my Bible reading. While reading through Psalms, I recently read a verse that I’d thought I’d understood before. 

I first read it, and took note of it, when I was seventeen years old. I was nearing the end of my high school days – graduation was months away – and I didn’t have a clue what to do with my life. I was interested in college, but not a college far away. I could have gone to a local school, but how would I pay for it? And what would I be? I had a million and one things I wanted to do – teach, write, sing, practice law, just to name a few. Of course, I hoped to marry, but at seventeen, my prospects weren’t looking too snazzy in that department. I sat down early one morning, opened up my Bible to that day’s reading, which included Psalm 27. I got to verse 14, which said, Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. I told the Lord, that yes, I would wait on Him. On His peace, His direction, His plan. 

God was extra merciful to me back then, because He didn’t make me wait too long. I admit, it was still longer than I’d wanted, but it could’ve been much longer! I met my husband when I was fourteen, then again at eighteen. We fell in love at nineteen and married that same year. On January 2, 1998, I had a purpose! I was a wife! Waiting over. *phew* God poured out a blessing larger than life when He allowed me to have my five children, with only a nine month waiting period for each! 🙂 I didn’t plan on this – I was prepared to wait – but I didn’t have to. 

Years have come and gone, and waiting has become a part of my life, as it is for everyone. Thankfully, my waiting periods have been short overall. However, several years ago now (I can’t believe it’s been years), my family and I started waiting on God for something very specific. Yes, it’s been years, and we’re still waiting. There have been times when we have thought about just “making it happen”, doing something bold (impatient), or just giving up. But we haven’t. We’ve resisted the temptation to go out and change our lives – that’s what the world says, right? “Go make a difference! Get out of your comfort zone! DO something!” We’ve opted to stay busy for the Lord while we wait. Yes, sometimes, action is required from us to see God’s plan fulfilled. Witnessing for Christ is a good example, praying for others is another fine example where our action is vitally important. But, not always. Sometimes, we are supposed to stay busy while we wait. 

Some of you, also, might be waiting on God’s direction for your lives. Some are waiting on a baby. Some young ladies wait for a man. Or that job opportunity. Or a new house. Or winning the Publisher’s Clearing House. (Just kidding!) I’m right there with you, I know that waiting is hard. 

This waiting period hasn’t been a total waste of time for me though. While I’ve been waiting, I’ve been learning lessons from my Father. I’m learning that waiting takes courage, and through Him, I can be courageous. 

With love,