Photo Credit: Gilles Chiroleu
Waiting isn’t a lot of fun, is it?! It gets on my nerves, when I have to wait for any extended period of time. And I don’t spare my family, either. I get pretty worked up when my boys are dilly-dallying, taking their own sweet time, with something that I need to be done immediately.
For all my distaste of waiting, I have been doing just that. I’ve been waiting on God to show me where I need to go next, what I need to do with my life. After some of my own dreams crashed and burned, I decided to wait for God’s dream for my life. I assumed that God would want to change my life’s direction as my sons grow older.
Well, it’s been a whole month since my sons joined kindergarten, which means I have a solid chunk of 4 free hours in the mornings. Maybe, not actually free – I’ve set up an effective routine to make the best use of that time. And yet I wanted to do something productive, maybe even take up a part-time job or a voluntary position somewhere.
My only hesitation was that I wasn’t sure what God had in mind for me. So, I started praying, of course. Praying that God would show me what I needed to do in my life. And surprise of surprises, He gave me His Word – except that it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for… {is it ever?!}
Every where I turned, every book I read, every blog I skimmed through, even through the Proverbs 31 Bible study; He said…
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You’d think I would have known that by now, after blogging about the exact same verse here and here. I realized that I was to continue my stay-at-home jig for a little while longer {months, years, decades maybe?!} serving my husband and praying for my sons… and keeping our home as unto the Lord.
I thought I’d share with you a few things I learnt, while I was waiting on God.
- Waiting on God means praying… a LOT!
- If possible, fast and pray.
- Spend a lot of time in God’s presence, poring over His Word {That’s how He usually talks to us}.
- Keep an open mind for anything God may be trying to tell you.
- Waiting on God reiterates how much you trust in Him, and God does NOT disappoint those who trust in Him.
We are all in different seasons of waiting on God. You maybe waiting on Him for a job, a life purpose, a life partner, a promotion, a house, a child, a financial breakthrough, a marriage… Keep at it. Don’t give up. When you wait to know God’s will for you, He values the trust you’ve placed in Him – and He will answer you. And while you wait, He will give you to the strength to carry on.
“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.” (Isaiah 40:31)
Care to share your experience of waiting on God?
Oh waiting is something I really struggle with. Trust is another whole issue, but I’m learning. – blessings. 🙂
that last verse sums it all up doesn’t it? love this !
Sheena, being at home isn’t just an option for mothers who have kids that still aren’t at school yet. Oftentimes, in our day and age, being a stay-at-home mom is nothing more than a 3 year sabbatical, at best. You are first, a woman of God, a wife, then a mother, and remember Titus2:2-4 that exhorts us to be busy “keepers of home”. It is true that technology has taken control of our homes, but that’s also some good news – we can disengage in activities that are better done by machines and concentrate on those that need our attention – like teaching our children, encouraging other women either by meeting them, praying with them, teaching them the Scriptures, counseling them or even writing, which is your forte. I would even challenge you to consider home-schooling your children, and if that means spending time creating a custom-curriculum for them which is Christ-centered, go for it. I’m not sure you know this, but I quit my job not because I had children to care for, in fact God hasn’t yet given me that privilege which I know one day He will bestow on me, but I quit because I wanted to be obedient to God : as His daughter, for the sake of my family. I don’t look at myself as a mere home-maker, a house-keeper, a house-wife, stay-at-home-mom-to-be, whatever. I think God is calling out us, women, to build our homes for the glory of God. And building the home means, making lifestyle changes that puts our family on a fast-track to follow after God and influence the world around them. The crucial question I’m asking you is this: do you see this as your calling? God be with you sister, through this time of crucial decision-making. Remember one thing though – no matter what decision you make, my love for you will remain and the Lord will be with you through it. Only be faithful to Him.
Wow! Sarmishta, you’ve certainly given me a lot to ponder about. I believe God led you to comment here, to shift my perspective a bit. I had a hearty discussion with my husband and look forward to praying more about my calling. Thank you very much, sweet sister in Christ. God bless you!
When my boys were young I too was pondering what to do with my time – should I stay home, volunteer, work? The ultimate answer was to do what God and my family needed. I did end up working but upon listening to God and my children I came back home – I’ve not regretted it. My children have been blessed by my presence – I was always available to them and this has helped especially with difficult times at school and with peers. Currently I’m homeschooling my youngest special needs child and although at first I didn’t want to – it has been a blessing and a tool God has used to mold me into a better person – and Yes, help me wait – on God.
Thank you for sharing your story , Sara; it is such an encouragement.
Don’t discount the ministry of availability, either. If there is something you are regularly committed to, then you will be unable to babysit last minute for a friend who has a dr. appt., or help out a neighbor who suddenly needs help, or volunteer for a day at a church function. Women who have regular jobs are not available to do a lot of things that need to be done only once or twice. It’s basically free-lance ministry, but it is very important. Just not quite as glamorous.
Perfectly agree with Kristen!
“Free-lance ministry” – I like the idea of that! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Kristen. God bless you!
I am terrible at waiting! But when I finally do wait on Him, He answers. You are right, it’s not always in the way we would expect. Great post!
Actually I was caught in an almost 2 hour traffic jam today and found myself with some extra time to pray. It wasn’t what I initially wanted to do–to wait … and to pray. But God reminded me that this “opportunity” was a lot like my life right now, since I’m waiting on some areas like you, Sheena. And when I finally got home I thanked God for the time to reflect and trust Him a bit more.
How wonderful it would be if we would only remember to pray, all those times when we’re impatiently waiting; instead of just thinking.. Thank you for sharing your experience, Beth.
Waiting has been the theme of God’s message to me for over a year now. He keeps challenging me to wait on Him- to seek Him- to be patient as I wait to hear from Him.
He keeps challenging me to seek His Heart- not worldly expectations, not people-pleasing- I feel as though I am relearning how to live- submitted and humble before God.
So thankful you shared this post- God keeps leading me to others who are also seeking Him and waiting- and it is so encouraging! God bless you.
I know.. Waiting is such a difficult challenge. But it’s when we’re waiting, that our trust in God is truly tested. Thank you for sharing your heart.. God bless you as you wait at His feet!