June 4, 2018

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

I’m not good at waiting.  I’m much better than I used to be but it is still way down on the list of things I’ve learned to do.

My impatience rears its ugly head from time to time.  When that happens,  I have learned to be very careful about decisions I make.  Impatience causes me to look for short-term solutions while forgetting long-term effects.

I think that God is teaching me with this verse from Romans 8.  He knows the long-term plan.  He knows how everything works together and comes together.  He sees the big, beautiful, good picture while I’m focused on some small detail over in the corner.  My eyes aren’t actually capable of seeing the big picture – it’s just too big.  What I am able to do is trust the artist.  Love the artist.

Lord, you are in the process of creating a beautiful masterpiece in my life and in others.  You are blending colors and lives together to create something better than I could ever imagine.  I want to trust you while I’m waiting.  I know masterpieces take time to complete.

June, 5, 2018

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!”  1 John 3:1a

I love the word, lavished, don’t you? It describes being generous, extravagant, giving freely.  It comes from a french word, “lavasse” which means a deluge of rain pouring down.

Skip and I were speaking, this morning, of this very word and how we feel so lavished on by our friends.  Skip knows how undeserving I feel to have so much attention and generosity poured out on me so he told me that during his quiet time with the Lord this morning, the Holy Spirit reminded him of this verse in 1 John 3.   It talks about God lavishing His love on us because we are His children.  Our friends are merely imitating their heavenly father by lavishing love on us.

Lord, thank you for loving me lavishly.  Thank you for friends who pour out love to me and my family.  Help me to do the same for others.

June 6, 2018

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”  1 John 5:14

Everywhere I look, someone is waiting.  A friend is waiting to deliver her baby any day now.  Families at church are counting down the days until daddy returns from deployment.  Our son is waiting through several delays on the closing on his first house.

Even though some waiting is needless – due to someone’s neglecting a responsibility or forgetting an appointment – waiting is usually an important part of our lives.

Babies need time to be fully developed before they are born.  Daddies must fulfill their mission before coming home on the ship.  Paperwork must be complete before legally closing on a purchase.

I’m slowly realizing that waiting is actually beneficial to me.  I’m finding I’m not the same person at the end of the wait as I was at the beginning.  My perspective changes and things I wouldn’t normally notice suddenly come into focus.

It’s doesn’t mean that I like waiting but if I can see purpose in it, I”m more able to accept it without going crazy.

I’m waiting for medical appointments and second opinion lab results right now.  I want to scream “why, why, why does it take so stinkin’ long to get through these appointments and tests?”.  Then the Lord reminds me that His timing is perfect.  If we had everything before we needed it, we would not feel the need to rely on God.  We would never see the miraculous because we wouldn’t be looking for it.

All of us take for granted what we have and see on a daily basis.  Have you ever noticed that food never tastes as good as when you are super hungry.  Or that sunshine on your face seems like a gift after you’ve spent the whole day in a windowless building?

Lord, I want to see what you have planned for me in the waiting.  How will you grow me during this time?  What do you want me to learn?  Redirect my gaze so I don’t miss out on anything.  I want to be watching while I am waiting.