Waiting on God's Timing

Waiting isn't one of my strong points. It may take me awhile to know what I want, but when I do, I want it NOW! But...that's not how God works. He shows you what you want and then he prepares you to receive it. Sometimes that feels mean and cruel and it may take a year or 20 or even 40!

At the beginning of this year I was hoping to take a vacation. I didn't know when it would work out but I thought that, surely, in a year's time it would work out somewhere. But there was one thing after another that foiled my plans. The other part-time secretary quitting in February, causing extra work. Training in the new secretary, dragging on for months. Numerous summer vacations of fellow workers making it necessary for me to stay. I knew that fall was out because the Kansas State Fair is our biggest selling time of the year.

At last I sighed and said, "I guess I'm not supposed to have a vacation this year," and I just gave up even trying to figure it out.

Then the other week I was out walking with my sister and she said, with conviction, "I think you should go visit Sarah (our other sister) for Christmas!" I hadn't really even thought of it but I liked the idea. The next day I checked out one-way tickets to Ottawa. Amazing price! Not every detail is worked out yet, but the ones that are, have fallen into place without a hitch.

To say I'm excited would be an understatement. I haven't been there for 5 years. It's not that I haven't wanted to go and tried to make things work out to do so, but the timing just wasn't right. But now it is and I'm so excited to see what God is going to do!

When the timing is right, you will know. He gives His peace and does more than you could ask, think or imagine!

Overwhelmed

²⁷ Why do you complain, Jacob?

    Why do you say, Israel,

“My way is hidden from the Lord;

    my cause is disregarded by my God”?

²⁸ Do you not know?

    Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

    and his understanding no one can fathom.

²⁹ He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

³¹ but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:27-31 (NIV)

So often I feel forgotten and overwhelmed with work and my problems. The question came to me the other day, What if, instead of being overwhelmed with my problems, I would be overwhelmed with God's love? 

It's not that He isn't doing it. It's a matter of perspective. I asked Him to show me new things and He is but that may be material for another post. 

How about you? Ask Him to overwhelm you with His love!

Sitting Alone

The other day God said to me, "Sometimes it's okay to sit alone."

I often try to avoid it because it can feel uncomfortable, scary, vulnerable and painful.

One evening this week I was out shopping. I wanted a sandwich but wasn't sure I wanted to sit in a restaurant by myself so I thought maybe I would go through the drive-thru and take it home to eat. I pulled into Arby's and there was a long line at the drive-thru. I thought to myself, It would be faster to go in and order. I still wasn't sure if I was going to take it home or not but when the cashier asked if it's "for here" or "to-go", I heard myself saying, "For here".

I found a seat where I could look towards the west and admire the beautiful sunset. I decided to leave my phone in my purse and just sit there observing people and talking to Jesus. The turkey sandwich and curly fries went down pretty good. I had this feeling that I should thank the manager for the good food and service. It didn't sound that hard and the place was nearly empty but still it seemed like a pretty nervy thing to do.

I felt nervous and scared as I gathered up my trash and headed for the front counter. I timidly asked if I could talk to the manager. He soon appeared, wondering, I'm sure, what was wrong. When I thanked him for the good food and service he wasn't quite sure what to say. He asked if I had my receipt and said I can fill out a survey and enter to win $1000, then wished me a good night and I walked out.

As I drove home I prayed that God would use it. I didn't care about winning $1000. That's not what it was about. It was about hearing God and obeying and then believing He would use it.

I knew God wanted me to sit in at Arby's that night even though it would've been easier to go home. A new song was playing on the radio, as I was driving home. It was called "Control" and the phrase that stood out to me was this, "...God you don't need me but somehow you want me..."  I wept as I felt all the stress and tension of the past days, weeks, months and years drain away.

If it means making time and space to hear God, I'm willing to sit alone.