Waiting stinks....but it doesn't have to

I hate waiting. I've never been good at it. It definitely doesn't help that in our culture, you usually don't have to wait for anything. We get irritated when we have to wait more than 2 full seconds for a web page to load! Our fast-paced, instant gratification society just feeds our lack of patience. I'm guilty of falling into that trap more times than I would care to admit. You know how people say not to pray for patience because you will end up getting opportunities to build that characteristic up? Yeah....I definitely don't pray for that yet still find myself meeting those opportunities. And I fail every...single...time. What's even more difficult, is when I feel that God has called me to something or has ignited my passion/excitement for something- only to say "wait". AHHH!!!!! It's kind of like reaching the top of a massive roller coaster and waiting for that "the bottom's dropped out", gut-wrenching sensation in anticipation......only for the coaster to stop. (For those of you that hate roller coasters, you probably relate to that analogy a bit differently!) "Let's go....let's go...let's go!!" is what you're wanting to say to the operator of the coaster. (Or not if you're in the other category.) But instead you sit....and wait. I'm facing that battle right now. I felt a clear calling on my life and even though I knew this would be something that would take time to unfold, here I am- impatiently and anxiously waiting. Once the frustration builds against the waiting, doubt creeps in.

Maybe I'm not cut out for this...

Maybe I heard wrong....

Will this ever happen?!?

If I'm not careful, these doubts and frustrations can lead to bitterness and to me turning my back on something I KNOW has been made clear to me. It's in those moments that I HAVE to turn to Jesus! That is not some Sunday school cliche answer either. It's truth. And it's really that simple. God would not call me to something that He wouldn't equip me to do. And His timing is not mine. Preparation takes time. Molding takes time.

Just for kicks, I looked up the definition of "wait". One particular definition stuck out to me:

-remain in readiness for some purpose

The example that was given with it was one of a train waiting at a platform. That train has a purpose and a scheduled time of departure. The train doesn't know the time it's supposed to leave....but the conductor does. The train remains prepped and ready for the moment when the conductor says it's time to go! That may be a poor example, but it struck a chord with me. I need to be prepped and ready to go. I don't know when this particular train will move, but when the conductor says it's go time I need to be ready. So I will use this "waiting" time to prepare. God wants me to be content where I am. And right now I'm in a waiting period. And that's ok. There's so much I can learn during this time. THAT is exciting! I need to use this time wisely and draw closer to Jesus in a way that only this season can bring.

Are you in a season of waiting? If so, don't let frustration win. Use this time to prep! Jesus is always trying to teach you something and refine your heart so that His reflection can be seen in it. :) Enjoy the wait!

Isaiah 40:31 "but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

To the weary woman....

Weariness. It seems like that is becoming so prevalent in our culture. Everywhere I turn I see a post dedicated to the "weary (fill-in the blank). I myself battle weariness. I wear so many hats (wife, mom, teacher, maid, cook, chauffeur, friend, sister, daughter, etc. etc. etc....). Sometimes the weight of the hats gets to be more than I can bear. Add to that then, the trials and difficulties I take on and feel deeply for those that I love around me. The load is almost unbearable at times. There are days when I'm ready to throw in the towel before I even get out of bed! Weariness leads to frustration, which leads to bitterness, which leads to one unhappy mama. But I've realized something about those moments. When I let weariness creep in and win, I've shifted my focus. It's not "weariness's" fault....it's mine. I have a choice on how I will chose to handle what I've been given. I can choose to wallow in weariness and self-pity, which will only lead down a dark and dreary path- void of any true joy and fulfillment. OR I can choose to shift my focus back onto the source of all joy and fulfillment! THAT path always leads to satisfaction and rest. Even though the first choice may be what I want to do, since I don't feel like "adulting" or dealing with my circumstances, the latter choice is always the best one. JESUS is that source. When I shift my focus back onto the cross, and allow Him to fill me, I CAN face what has been placed in front of me. The Bible says in Psalm 46:10 to "Be still and know that I am God.". When weariness or frustration is welling up, I simply need to be still before the foot of the cross, refocus, and soak up the joy that only can come from there. THAT will fight the weariness and help me to push forward. So whatever circumstances you are facing today....be still before God and soak up only what He can offer you. Allow that to refuel you and keep you going! I'd love to hear your thoughts or needs regarding this. How can I pray for you? Feel free to comment or message me! I'd love to share with you!