As I sat down after a long day of painting my kitchen, then my dining room, and then my chairs…I finally had time to check my Facebook and just rest. Aaaahhhh…calm…kids are asleep…nice and clean from a shower…then bam…my phone is dead. Then it clicks, I left my charger at my sister’s house earlier in the day. Ugh! Oh well, I decided I would do like most people and get on my laptop to publicly announce my phone is dead in case anyone needs me. (I mean really? Will anyone need me for a few hours?) Anyway, I opened my laptop and noticed Wi-Fi wasn’t working right so just like any tech genius would do, I turned it off and turned it back on again. When I looked at the screen it said this, “Please wait…” It was updating. While I waited “patiently” I turned on Netflix… “Netflix encountered an error. Please wait…” Wow! What a night. Now my router was flashing, and my Wi-Fi was not coming back to life. I guess someone was trying to tell me something.
“Please wait…”
Sometimes God tells us to move forward with things, continue the path we are on, or turn a different direction. Other times, He graciously tells us, “Please wait…” What is God telling you today?
Patience is not a commandment you can just ignore. It’s a repetitive call to action in the Bible showing us it’s importance in our daily lives. I myself struggle with patience. I have two young boys, now ages 2 and 5, and I’ll be honest, patience is my biggest battle. That night, I about lost it over Wi-Fi and a dead phone!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
BUT GOD says, “Please wait…be patient.”
In life, I’ve waited for a lot of things.
In my teenage years, I waited for Mr. Right by trying to find him myself without God’s help. God sat back and waited for me to listen to Him and “be patient.” It took time and a lot of pain and heartache to realize I needed God’s help. Years later, I’m married with a beautiful family of my own.
In marriage, I waited for a child. I wanted a child in my timing, But God said “wait.” My husband and I had our first miscarriage just a few years into our marriage.
In trials and struggles, I waited for peace and understanding. Years later, I’ve used my testimony to connect with other women and show them how trials are sometimes just a part of God’s plan. You just have to wait to see the end picture.
We now have 2 handsome young boys that can’t wait to grow up. I tell them every day, “Please wait..”
Waiting is never easy, but God’s plan for your life takes time and can only be revealed by your Heavenly Father’s direction. Just wait. Be patient and trust in God.
It’s hard to see the end of your story when you are in right in the middle of it. I’m 30 years old and the average life span is somewhere in the mid-70s. I guess you could say I’m close to being right in the middle of my life. (mid life crisis?) As a child, I couldn’t wait to grow up and get older. As a baby, I imagine I wanted to be old enough to walk around and get into anything I wanted. Maybe I dreamed of being tall enough to reach the cookies one day. (I still struggle with this now but I can climb at least) When I started walking and talking, I dreamed of being old enough to ride a bicycle, have my own phone, drive a car, get my own job, move out, go to college, and get married to the love of my life. Day after day, my dreams got bigger and bigger. I was so impatient with life. Even in college, I couldn’t wait to finish school and get a job. (Why on Earth would someone want that? Adulting is not easy!) Now that I’m older (the famous saying) I want to enjoy each day more and treasure each year treating it as a gift God has given me. When I think of getting older, I don’t dream about the new aches and pains that will come along with age, or the hot new set of wheels I’ll get on my wheel chair one day. I dream of the day I’ll be able to sit down with Jesus and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” I can’t imagine what Heaven is going to be like, but I can pray that you’ll be there with me one day.
“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” Psalm 62:5
So often we get wrapped up in the worries of today and the dreams of tomorrow that we forget that our lives here are noting but a blink compared to eternity. One day, you’ll either spend eternity with your Heavenly Father in peace or sadly you’ll end up in Hell completely separated from the peace God can offer you. God is the God of second, third, and even one hundredth chances, but only on this Earth.
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” James 5:7-8
God is a patient God. I am so thankful that He is. But God wants you to know that He is waiting. He is patiently waiting for you to answer His call and trust in Him. Don’t get so wrapped up in life that you forget about what is important. Take time to listen to God, seek Him for direction. Trust in God and be patient knowing that your life, your past, present, and future are all in His hands.
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Our level of patience should mirror God’s level of patience. Does yours? How patient are you today?
My prayer today is that you evaluate your life and let God reveal where you struggle most. If it’s patience, pray for patience. Whatever it may be, just pray and ask God to help you so you can better show the love of Christ to others.
Until next time… “Please wait…”
May God Bless you and show you His Grace every day!