What are you waiting for?

It seems like waiting for something is a part of life. Waiting for a promotion, waiting for a wayward child, waiting for an answer to prayer. We even have quotes galore to inspire and encourage us as we wait.

• Good things come to those who wait.
• You usually have to wait for that which is worth waiting for. (Craig Bruice)
• Our willingness to wait reveals the value we place on what we’re waiting for. (Charles Stanley)

Recently, Greg and I took a cruise with my brother and his wife, and my Dad. We planned it about 8 months before our sail date. So, we waited and waited and it seemed like we were never going to actually go on the cruise. But finally, on November 27 after months and months of anticipation, we set sail for ten days in the Caribbean. It was a wonderful trip and well-worth the wait.

The wait is over: Christmas is here.

With tomorrow being Christmas, I couldn’t help but think about the waiting so many had to endure for their promised Messiah. Years and years came and went until that one night when hope and promise were ushered in with the birth of Christ. New life in Him would soon become a reality. At last, Messiah had come.

What are you waiting for at this moment? An answer to prayer? Clear direction? A reconnection with a past relationship?

It’s not always easy to simply wait. We like quick answers and fast results. But it’s often in the waiting room where God shows up as our close Companion reminding us that He’s got all things under His control. And our time spent in that room will not be in vain because:

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25)

The birth of Jesus was worth waiting for because a once distant God became Immanuel, God with us.

Tomorrow we once again think about the earthly entrance of the Son of God. Mankind waited and was not disappointed.

If you find yourself in a season of waiting, be encouraged. With God, all things are possible, and if waiting is involved…it will be well-worth it.

Merry Christmas

Mimi

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There’s a duck swimming in our pool.

Yes indeed, that’s a duck swimming in our community pool. Aside from the fact that a duck or any animal can contaminate the water we’re swimming in, it really was cute to see it enjoy a 15 minute stay. And why not? Hubby and I were cooling off on a hot afternoon, why not the duck, too.

But it did seem strange to see that duck there. It was totally unexpected and very much out of place.

That’s a challenge in life, too. We’ve all experienced those unexpected situations that appear and interrupt our lives with heartache, inconvenience, disappointment, etc. And it’s difficult to keep our eyes on the Lord during those times because that challenging situation just sort of takes up residence. Like the duck swimming among us in no great hurry to leave, the situation may linger much longer than we think appropriate.

What to do?

Depend on the Lord. It’s the best thing and at times the hardest. But as a friend so sweetly reminded me today, the Lord knows what He’s doing; His plans are good and His timing is perfect.

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” (Psalm 37:7)

So I’m resting (or at least trying to)…how about you?

Mimi

Waiting…and waiting…and more waiting.

Despite so much change going on in my life at the moment (remember, more to come on that subject in the future) we decided now might be the perfect opportunity to move. What were we thinking?! You don’t make big changes in the midst of tumultuous circumstances. But the house was listed in July and we very quickly got a full price cash offer. Yay, yippee, this must be God. Or was it?

Unfortunately, that deal fell through and we had to re-list the house. After a week and a half another offer was submitted and accepted and we were again on to the inspection process. Despite our house being well-maintained and updated throughout, the buyer, after reading the inspection report, thought we needed $30k in repairs so suggested we split it between us and they asked us to lower the price by $15,000. What??? We did make some concessions, agreed on the new terms and moved on to the appraisal.

One week has gone by since the appraiser was here and the report is due today. But until we get the report we don’t consider the house sold. So we’re still in a wait and see mode yet our tentative move out date is September 7. That’s just two-and-a-half weeks! It’s been pins and needles time over here for months.

However, in the middle of this are the faithful prayers of the saints. And it’s because of those prayers that we have found a place of peace. Of course, while my spirit is at peace, my body isn’t quite there. Occasionally, I still have trouble sleeping and eating but God knows exactly what He’s doing and He’s got this situation covered. So our trust remains firm, even though we don’t know where we will be living on September 9.

The importance of faithful friends can’t be ignored. They’ve been my lifeline since April. In reading someone else’s blog the other day I was reminded of the importance of this with the mention of Julius, a guard in charge of Paul on his journey to Rome. The blogger writes that “Life is full of moments when the waters can become a turbulent sea.” But this is when we need our own Julius to offer care and refreshment. She mentioned that Acts 27:3 AMP tells us “The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, treating Paul with [thoughtful] consideration, allowed him to go to this friends there and be cared for and refreshed.”

Seems like we could all use a Julius to recognize our needs and make arrangements to help them get taken care of. And we can be a Julius to others, too. Proverbs 11:25b promises “Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed (NIV).”

I’m all about refreshment for myself and for others. Let’s find someone to refresh today.

UPDATE: The realtor just called. The house is sold. We can start packing. I’m not kidding about the timing. I started writing this blog 15 minutes ago and 10 minutes into it I was interrupted with the phone call of good news. Gotta love God’s timing!

Mimi