I haven't always been patient throughout my life. As I said in the beginning, I am an "all or nothing" person. Having that quality, doesn't always afford much patience. I'm always looking ahead, and I like to know what's coming. Waiting is painful especially when you don't know the outcome. It seems that this year has been about waiting.
waiting.
waiting.
I've learned more on how to trust the Lord and not step into worry or anxiety like never before, but I still don't think I've fully gotten it. Before I met Ryan, it seemed like I would never get married. I was only 19, but inside I felt like I had been waiting decades. I don't like waiting. Did I mention that?
Here I am though, I've been waiting for 4 years to buy a house that I would truly love. A few months ago, we felt like the Lord spoke to us and said it was time to sell our house. Of course, I was thrilled, and Ryan was on board (even better). SO, we put our house up for sale.
And we're waiting.
We've felt like the Lord has said to pack our bags, and so we're packing our house up.
And we're waiting.
Today, we found a house that we are both absolutely in love with. Not a house that will just "work", or we can make "work", or needs tons of "work", no the perfect house to suit our needs and desires.
And the waiting becomes accelerated.
I've found myself wanting to frantically start praying, and cleaning, and packing, and moving, and...and...I can't do that. Do I really trust him? He said. He said. It's tricky business, trusting with absolutely no tinge of anxiety or fear. It's impossible to completely trust someone if you still have fear lurking in the corner. It's plain and simple: you are not really trusting.
Years ago, when I was little, my parents heard about this gorgeous place in New Mexico, where you could rent a cabin in the mountains. By this time, I was about 5, and my oldest brother was about 13, so my parents were looking for something more adventurous than just camping. We fell in love- ALL of us! We went fishing, and horseback riding (in the mountains!), shopped in a town just a little over a mile long, and enjoyed the beauty of the mountains. We were sold. They became our mountains. Almost immediately, my parents began to search for a Cabin to call our "home away from home".
It wasn't until I was about 22 years old, that they finally fulfilled that dream. The part of this story that I love is that the Cabin that they now own, they actually viewed years ago. If they had bought the Cabin then, they would have had to do an enormous amount of work to get it to where it is today. They're cabin is over 100 years old, and unfortunately it sat for years. Animals had completely infested it, and the logs were wearing out. A couple ended up buying it (because my parents didn't) and they put an enormous amount of work into it. They got rid of most of the critters, and redid all the chinking (hard work). The next couple added several upgrades to the actual look of the home, and almost completely left all the furnishings for it! yeah, wow.
"I am going to prepare a place for you". -John 14:2
I've always thought of that scripture only referring to our place in heaven. And yet, Jesus instructed us to pray for "His Kingdom to come, and His Will to be done on EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. I'm believing that He has, and is preparing a place for us. I'm learning to trust, and yes learning to wait because I know that He wants the best for us.
Waiting is the hardest part... But when you get the thing you've been waiting on for so long, isn't it awesome? I think that it's like Christmas morning for God everytime he gives us our hearts desires. He delights in our joy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I like reading them.
ReplyDeleteI like that idea, Mary Anne and I think you're absolutely right. Can't wait for my Christmas morning! lol. wait...did I say can't?? oops. =)
ReplyDeleteHave you read 'When the Heart Waits' by Sue Monk Kidd? If not, I STRONGLY reccomend it. Since 1998, I have read it four times. You and I share the not wanting to wait and lack of patience issues. Your post about not really fully trusting if there is any fear or doubt sure hit my heart. It's that usual "I trust BUT..." feeling. I try to remember "Faith the size of a mustard seed..." which is so very small but it is enough. Love, love, love you and your blog.
ReplyDeletei too am familiar with waiting! looking forward to hearing about this house you found =)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. It warms and encourages the heart. In my journal I have a Christmas card of two small children looking up the chimney. On it my friend labeled Gary's and my name. I wrote in my journal,"God has something up His sleeve and I feel like a child waiting for Christmas." In Habakuk 2:3 it says the revelation awaits an appointed time. Though it linger, wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay." Oh the wonder of waiting.
ReplyDeleteFunny, the last post said it was from Kathryn, but it's actually from me...Joanne(Mom)Lindenberger.
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny you put John 14:2 up there, that verse always pops into my head every time I get frustrated in waiting. I must admit though, in this season of waiting that I've been in I feel like I've become less patient, rather than more....ahhh, just one more thing to work on!
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