What are you waiting for?

My cousin, a strong woman in Christ, recently sent me this, and I figured I'd just share it as this week's blog post:

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Hi Friends!  I haven't shared anything over email in a while.  I thought you all would appreciate this thought.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

I spoke to a friend today who is going over one of life's many bumps and as she spoke I heard her faith and her wisdom loud and clear.  Her final statement was "It's the waiting for the answer, that's what is getting to me right now."  She went on to say that she knew that God was going to take care of it and she knew that everything was going to be okay.  I could see the weight of the "wait" on her.  Faith can be acheived and after a few bumps faith becomes somewhat old hat...patience is another issue.  Why does God make us wait?

Psalms 40:1-3

 1I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

   2He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

   3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

David waiting?? Seriously?  I'm just sayin'.

I like the picture this scripture paints for us...a patient child...a loving father.  Let's be honest though, it doesn't happen that way.  David the poet and David the living breathing human were two different people.  "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me....and heard my cry."  Do you think maybe he through a bit of a fit at some point? Did this cry take place while he was "waiting patiently?" We all know David's story.  He wasn't much on waiting.  He pretty well saw what he wanted and TOOK it.  BUT being a "man after God's own heart" he usually settled down and God moved MIGHTILY on his behalf.  So I'm thinking that our loving father doesn't expect immediate patience.  He knows it is a process.  He knows we are going to fall.  He is the one patiently waiting for us to catch up to him.

Becoming a patient child takes practice.  So...God gives us opportunities in which to learn!

My sweet Daddy wasn't one to give in much.  He was a solid rock!  I was a demanding little turd...or a least they tell me so. (From what I understand, if you have ever met my Piper, you have met me...as a child.) I do remember throwing fits and watching for my Daddy's reaction.  Me in the floor crying for my way, Daddy in his recliner with his nose buried in the newspaper.  I know he could hear me, but he wasn't giving in.  He needed something from me and it didn't involve my negotiation tactics.  Sometimes it was hours, other times I caught on in minutes and then there were times when I went to bed wondering whether he was going to let me know tomorrow.

It was when I had calmed down, my tears had stopped and I was listening that he would "incline" himself to me.  I like that, "incline", he would get down on my level and look me in the eye.  What can I do for you baby girl?  It was then that I got what I wanted/need, what I was petitioning for.

Sometimes God is attempting to grow us while we wait.  He is waiting for us to be calm so we can hear him, so we can see what he needs us to see before he is "inclined" to do what heals our hearts.  Sometimes the purpose of the wait is so He can be glorified. (3And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.) 

My friend was not throwing a fit by any means.  She was actually very calm, cool and collected (although I'm not sure she felt she was) and in that moment I was watching the patient child who had been there before.  Waiting for her loving heavenly father to do what I believe she had seen him do before.  I am grateful that God allowed me to see this moment as it grew my faith and gave me a new understanding of the reasons for the "wait" I am currently dealing with.   

What is God making you wait for?  What does he want you to learn from this wait?  Are you willing to be quiet and listen?  Is what you are petitioning for worth the wait?  Cause if you can't be patient about it...I am afraid your wait might be prolonged.

Love ya!

Cheri Lyn