Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Learning to Wait – One Tip to Try

Posted on By jennifer

I am waiting for the forsythia.  Waiting for even a hint of those yellow buds and the first hint of color they bring.  Those buds have not come out yet…but the pansies are starting to come back to life:)  I am waiting for the forsythia – because my dad always said they were the surest sign of spring and I am ready -and waiting – for spring.  I am trying to wait patiently but, long about mid-March, my patience with cold mornings and chilly afternoon wind – even the allure of my fireplace and all the comfort foods of winter – is just about drained.  Gone.  The wait for spring seems so hard.

Waiting, in general, can be challenging.  But there is much reward, even blessing, when we will wait on the Lord.  Isaiah 40:31 is well known:

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

As women of God, we turn to this verse when we are feeling depleted, discouraged and faint.  We want to renew our strength.  We want to run and not be weary.  But, often, we rush… even in the quoting of the verse.  We rush right past the “wait upon the LORD” and straight to the promise.  But the promise is offered only after we will wait upon the Lord.

Wait – “to stay in expectation” or, as one dictionary said, “to delay action.”  To simply be still and allow God to lead.  When we wait on the Lord, we refuse to get ahead of Him.  Action is not completely eliminated but simply delayed until we hear from the Lord.  And we listen for His leading expectantly – with confidence – knowing that He will speak, direct and go before us.  It is then that we can follow….with renewed strength, running and even soaring!

But waiting is hard.  How can we strengthen our ability to wait?  How can we practice waiting so we will be better able to wait the next time we need Isaiah 40:31 in our lives?  I’m sure there are plenty of ways to test and try ourselves but here is one way I try to teach myself to wait (and to wait well.)

Choose the longest line at the grocery store.  We instinctively scan all the open registers, look not only for the fewest shoppers but the shoppers with the fewest items in the cart and – quick! – jump in that line.  We are hoping it ensures us the shortest wait in line.  But what if we purposely chose the long line?  Got behind the customer with a full to overflowing buggy.  Or stepped in line behind the senior you know (assume?) will move super slowly.  And, then, waited.  Waited our turn without grumbling, sighing or mentally rushing ahead to what needs to be done….if we ever get out of this store!!

The challenge is not only to wait – but to wait well.  Waiting well is not simply refusing to complain but, perhaps, engaging with the clerk, the customer in front of you – or even helping that slower paced senior.  As you wait, ask God for ways to wait well.  Ask Him to speak to you…and use the extra time, as you wait, for your benefit.  For your strengthening – ready “to soar” as you continue with your day.

I would love to know ways that you might use to strengthen your waiting ability.  Please share!

“The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”  Lam. 3:25

Tell His Story

Comments (6)

  1. ” The wait for spring seems so hard.” Oh, how I wish this wasn’t so true! We have been in a waiting season for the past year or more… and have had several over the past decade or two! 😉 I had to learn that it is ok to not be productive. That’s a hard ‘call’ in our culture! We even often times translate that verse you mentioned to ‘wait’ as in serve. And sure –I think that this can apply –but our world tends to highly value busy and service but often what the Lord is meaning by wait is to –as you mentioned– just wait. With expectation, yes… but to just still and silence all the distractions and really listen for His still, small voice! Sometimes He is hard to hear above all the noise!

    Great post! Glad we are Link-up neighbors!

    1. Waiting can be hard….waiting with expectation (rather than with a tapping foot, etc) is truly something to practice! Thanks so much for stopping by – and, yes, glad to be “neighbors”!!:)

    1. Oh my – it certainly does not come naturally for me. Actually, I had trouble following my own suggestion just this morning!! Goodness –

Comments are closed.