The Waiting Season
When I was in 5th grade in Brooklyn, NY, my teacher gave the class an assignment. To be honest, I don’t have a clue what it was about but I remember it was a writing assignment and we needed to do research for it. Now this was long before the internet and in Brooklyn, we walked everywhere so going to the library was a chore. But I had a great idea. One of my classmates’ father apparently was in the field I was interested in writing about so before class was over, a visit to her house had been set and I had a plan. Oh how I love to plan! My teacher overheard the exchange between my classmate and myself and was so impressed at my tenacity, she used me as a lesson to all the slackers in the class. That certainly didn’t buy me any looks of adoration in the lunchroom. Thanks!
But it speaks to how I’m wired. Even at 10 years old, I made plans. And yes, that assignment was written and turned in a week early. One, because once something is on my to do list, it bugs me until it’s done. Is that weird?? But two, more importantly, it was an excuse to make a plan. I am given a task or a new challenge and I can’t rest until I figure out how to make it happen. I’ve been called a control freak, Type A personality and other not so nice words from friends and family who don’t see things my way, the only right way of course. Ahem..
But the older I’ve gotten the more I think it’s because I hate waiting. I’m that strange person who is always 30 minutes early to an appointment or function. I can’t stand making people wait on me because I hate waiting on people, or red lights, or slow talkers, or slow walkers…sorry! It’s definitely not something I’m proud of but no one can ever say I’m a procrastinator. I want to make a plan and get it going, whether I’ve stopped to count the cost or not. A lot of times, it actually works out but sometimes, it’s like my Pinterest attempts at baking. Epic fail.
I don’t think I’m alone, though, in hating to wait. I could fill this blog with posts about my waiting seasons but none stand out more than the one I’ve been in for over 20 years. My husband and I have dreamed of going back to Africa to live and do ministry but when God closed those doors, we then dreamed of doing missions work in places where we could make a difference to the poorest of the poor. That hasn’t happened yet either but what He did open up were opportunities to teach and preach on our tiny island, Utila. Each year that we returned to visit family, we were given the privilege of encouraging the believers there. It was amazing to see what God was doing in the lives of young and old. We loved it and still do, as God allows.
What we didn’t realize is that it was in the waiting season that our deepest lessons were learned. It was while we sat there, dreaming of far off places, that He taught us how to trust Him in the dark times right where we were. How could the Israelites trust God in the promised land if they hadn’t seen Him move the seas while being chased by their mortal enemies? How would Joseph know that God could be trusted when he became 2nd in command in Egypt, putting him in a position to save his nation, if he hadn’t had to trust Him after being thrown in jail twice?
It’s in the waiting seasons that we see who God truly is. It’s when we get that report that causes us to fear, that we get to witness Him as our Healer. And what we’ve seen time and time again since walking out into the unknown in faith, is how He shows up just in time whenever there is a financial need. I’ve heard all my life about people getting checks in the mail just when they were at the end of what they could do financially. In 36 years of walking with God, I’d never had that happen. Not once. Until now. Ever since we sold everything and moved across the country, believing and trusting that it was our time to do the ministry we’ve dreamed of, a check has come time and time again. And yes, just in time.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re in the waiting season. Whether it’s a job, a marriage, a wayward child, groceries or a healing. God can be trusted in every situation you face. He sees the need before you ever ask for the answer.
My dear friend, Waneda, the beautiful woman in my photo, once told the story about her first missionary assignment. She was telling one of the locals on the island that she was longing for a sandwich with tomatoes and lettuce. Those were items that were not easily available where she lived. But as she was telling this to her friend, a neighbor walked in her back door carrying a brown bag. Her neighbor said, “Good morning Waneda. I was on the mainland yesterday and for some reason, I thought of you when I saw these so I brought them for you. I hope you enjoy them.” Of course, you know how this ends. As she opened the bag, out rolled a beautiful ripe tomato and a fresh head of lettuce. She told me it was such a simple desire but because it was important to her, it was important to God the Father. Before she even knew she would need or desire it, He was making a way.
Daughter, your Heavenly Father wants to answer the longing of your heart. I’ll go further than that. He IS the longing of your heart. You just may not know it. While you wait, pull in close to Him. He wants to bring you lettuce and tomatoes!
