Help for the Wait
The other day I was standing in line at the grocery store when the person in front of me had an item that needed a price check.
This would’ve been fine, except for the fact that I had to go pick my kids up from school and I was worried about the time.
One minute passed.
Then two.
It seems like seconds ticked into forever as I stood in line, waiting.
After what seemed like an eternity, someone from the produce department located the price for the item and the person in front of me finished paying. I barely made it to my kids’ school on time.
Let’s face it; waiting isn’t fun.
Yet life is filled with waiting, isn’t it?
And often, that waiting — whether it’s for something little like getting through the line at the grocery store, or something big like test results from the doctor or news about our finances or our job –can be hard.
And sometimes, the hardest thing to wait for in life is answer to prayer.
But one thing that can really help if you’re in that place of waiting—that place that sometimes feels like forever—is taking a few minutes to remember the times God has been faithful in the past. The times He’s answered your prayers.
I love the Lord,
Because he listens to my prayers for help.
He paid attention to me,
So I will call to him for help as long as I live.
The ropes of death bound me,
And the fear of the grave took hold of me.
I was troubled and sad.
Then I called out the name of the Lord.
I said, “Please, Lord, save me!”
The Lord is kind and does what is right;
Our God is merciful.
Psalm 116:1-5
Remembering all the times God has answered your prayers can remind you that He’s still there. And that He’s listening.
And focuing on that, and the fact that God is faithful and that He cares, can go a long way in helping you while you wait.
If you give a girl her God…
When I was raising my boys, one nightly tradition was spending the last few minutes of each day reading to them. One of their favorite stories, and still one of mine, was If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.
If you give a mouse a cookie, he’ll probably ask for a glass of milk. If you give him a glass of milk, he’ll probably ask for a straw. If you give him a straw, he’ll most likely need a napkin…
On and on the story goes, taking the mouse through various household chores and activities until finally - spent and exhausted - the mouse takes a nap. When he wakes from the nap - sure enough - he’s hungry and…you got it…he asks for a cookie.
Some days are like that, one activity begatting the next, and so on and so on and so on.
I had a day like that a while back.
I had been looking forward all that week to sleeping in on Saturday, whatever that means for me. Lately I’ve been running on about five or six hours of sleep each night and - after a long and tiring week - I thought the idea of sleeping until 7:30 or eight sounded really good.
Instead I woke at around 5:30 and lay there, wide awake, until I finally eased from the bed and made my way through the sleeping house to the living room. Something deep within me was stirring, something that made me acutely aware of just what a blessed day it was.
The week had been long, it had been tiring, but I’d not only made it through, I’d made it through with the deep-seated knowledge that God was directing my footsteps and my actions; easing me slowly but surely through the long list of to-do’s and must-do’s until all the projects, all my work, and all the kid drama - everything was not only done, but done well.
I sat with my coffee and spent quiet time with Him - so thankful, so grateful, for His mercy and strength. The quietness and solitude of the room around me seemed to reflect the quietness of my spirit and it all felt so good.
At the tail end of a week where I’d spent energy like money and had run the gamut of emotions in dealing with life’s craziness I simply sat in my living room and reveled in the secure certainty that I am a God’s girl.
At the end of my quiet time I attempted to go online, only to find that our internet was down. And that’s when the if you give the girl her God type of a day really began. Feeling energized and close to Him, I prepared a full, nutritious breakfast.
Well-fed and feeling (slightly) healthy, I went for my run. I felt so good after two and a half miles that I ran for four.
As I walked the last block home, I found myself studying all the neighbors’ yards, realizing that my schedule had not allowed me the flexibility to spend any amount of time on my own flower beds.
I saw my husband out in the yard as I walked the last few steps to our house, and that clinched it for me. Already sweaty and slighty grubby from my run I decided to stay in my running clothes and pitch in and help out in the yard.
And the day was officially started…
One by one, each activity seemed to only prompt the next. I spent hour after hour taking care of the things around the house that I’d let fall by the wayside in the full-on sprint that has somehow become our life. When the day finally turned to night, I collapsed in the same spot as I’d spent my quiet time that morning. Somewhat tired, but fulfilled.
Again I was quiet and reflective. Again I was filled with thankfulness for His care of me. Again I was very much aware of His mercy at work in my life.
On my own I am so weak. On my own I falter and question and - way too often - whine and complain.
On my own, I am just a woman. ONE woman.
I can only give so much as a friend. I can only instruct so much as a mother. I can only succeed so much as a student and as a writer.
I can only do so much.
But with Him…With Him all things are possible.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. PHL 4:13
I may very well be a woman on the cusp of her midlife years.
But I very much feel like a little girl running into the arms of her God.
If you give a girl her God…well…she can do most anything.
Heaviness
I am in a place right now where I find myself often teetering on the fence between “fine” and “overwhelmed”. All too often, I’m struggling to overcome the heaviness life can bring. I suppose that isn’t too surprising with my 6 sons and their antics (especially those of a certain set of 3 year old twins) that constantly keep me on the edge of my seat.
But, I can guarantee you that there are days of heaviness in the lives of every woman I know. Doesn’t matter how perfect their life looks. Even the woman down the street with the perfect house, perfect lawn, perfect cars and perfect kids occasionally has days filled with heaviness.
Heaviness can come from an illness, a mood, a situation or concern in life and so many other things. But regardless of where it comes from, the challenge is getting rid of it!
To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:3 NKJV - bold mine)
Praise Him! On those days that seem overwhelming and heavy, go before the Lord in praise!
I know this may be a difficult concept, and even more difficult in practice, but next time you’re having one of those days, consider giving it a try and see what happens.
