Waiting:
The doctors’ diagnosis.
Seeing family due to Covid.
Getting the job.
Pregnancy test.
Getting asked on a date.
Do you ever find waiting difficult? Do you want the answers as quickly as possible? Does it seem like you should know the plans or clearly see the next steps? I know that I don’t like the feeling of losing control or living in a place of in between.
My family is waiting. We have had three foster children for almost two years. Our waiting is for a court decision that determines if we will be adopting them or not. We might not know for weeks. While we mourn the loss their biological parents and family are feeling, the children have been living in between for so long. We just hold them and love them and trust that the Lord and the judge will make the decision that is best for them. But this waiting is really, really hard.
If you look throughout scripture, verses abound to encourage us in our places of waiting.
“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Psalm 27:13-14
“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”
Psalm 25:4-5
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
Romans 8:25
The people of Israel were waiting on their Savior all throughout history. Different leaders and kings came to point them to Christ, but it wasn’t until a baby was born in Bethlehem, that these prophecies were fulfilled. Our glorious King Jesus came to earth in such a different way than anticipated. Just as he was humbly born in a manger, He made His triumphant entry Palm Sunday, peacefully on a donkey. Those that knew Him to be Christ, worshipped in glory. Here was our King, the One we had been waiting for all throughout history. What a moment in time.
Can you imagine being there on the street as Jesus went by? I picture feeling the dirt on my sandaled feet. The hot sun on my back. Sweat pouring down my face. Bowing down in praise saying, “Hosannah in the Highest.” Oh, what would I give to be there that day. After all those years of waiting, our Savior came to the world.
In this life, we will continue to wait. But where do we entrust our hearts and minds while we are going through what is before us?
Praise Him anyway - Offer Him all the glory, honor and praise; even before you know the outcome. This may feel hard at first. But when we center our hearts to Him, we can’t help but praise Him for His goodness, for the beauty of His creation, the salvation He offers us freely. He desires our praise. Praise Him for who He is even if you don’t like your circumstances. If you don’t have words to offer from the pain of your emotions, turn on a worship song or open the Psalms and read it aloud. He laments with you and understands.
Pour out your heart – God wants all of us. Not just the perfectly packaged images we share with others. He wants us to lay at His feet all of the emotions, heartaches, fears, that we are experiencing. Sometimes it is easier to call a friend or family member and just vent. I know I struggle with this. And while oftentimes it feels good, I am only truly filled and feel His peace when I come before Him.
Wait expectantly – Expect great things from God! God works it all for the good. That does not mean that our answer is always exactly as we wanted or anticipated. This is hard to understand on earth, the scriptures promise that God is working for our good.
It feels like this past year, we have all been waiting for something. I pray you trust Him as He refines you, shapes you and works in your heart. He wants good for your life. May you cling to Him as you wait and open your hands in worship to our Savior who deserves all our praise.
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Susan Veenema has been in education for 20 years supporting children with disabilities and their families and currently works for the Department of Education. Susan and her husband, Jeremy, love exploring Chester County with their two older biological daughters and three foster children. People are her passion.
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