Delay is not Denial

“Delay is not denial,” someone once said to me.

At times, those words are little more than a haunting hope. Still others, they are the catalyst that propels me forward. They remind me that - in God’s time, not mine - more will be revealed.

Delays teach me to walk by faith and not by my natural sight, or intuition. Through the eyes of my faith, I see promises, glory stories, and gilded reminders of things to come. I experience the “not yet” as if it already “is.” I learn to call what will be as though it already stands before me. Spiritual vision is almost always sharpened in the delay.

I recognize the importance of doing my part - working hard, diligently, fervently, consistently. If I can do that, then I can turn all else over to God and stand on His promises while I wait for the results that He alone will one day orchestrate. His Word reminds me, “… though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come.”

So often He reminds me to not run ahead of Him. He is the author of this life story of mine - my past, present, and my future. His timing is always perfect.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

In the meantime, I endeavor to trust and go on to the next thing in my life. I leave some stories on the back burner and try to be more sensitive to what He would have me write. I leave my children in the arms of the only One who loves them even more than I do. I acknowledge that I’m no Wonder Woman and - these past few days - I think I’m feeling a great release from the effort of being that super girl.

I’ve come to realize that - when we least expect it - He will reveal that perfect will that is certain to be immeasurably more than I could ever ask, think or even imagine. That knowledge alone fills me with such warmth, helps me to appreciate all the precious moments that fill my life, and allows me to look through eyes of faith and catch shimmery glimpses of what lies just around the next bend in the road.

I don’t want to ever bemoan the delays.

My God resides in the delay.