Waiting on God

Lessons from my Children

Sometimes I am surprised by the way God uses my children to teach me lessons about Himself.



I must confess that sometimes I get frustrated at my children's response to "wait just a minute" or if I tell them "no". In their impatience or disappointment they show a lack of trust in me as their mom. Don't they know that I love them and I want what is best for them? Sometimes my "no" might be because I have a surprise waiting for them right around the corner or my "no" might be because I know what is best for them. To give in to their demands would mean the best would be spoiled (and they might be too!)



But how often have I treated God the same way? When my prayers go unanswered or God says, "No" to my request, I question if He really knows what is best. Instead of looking at His character I look at my circumstances to determine my joy and contentment. What a mistake!



As we have waited for our house to sell we have been disappointed by 3 low offers. We have also lost the perfect house we made a contingent offer on in Washington. It has been easy to doubt, to question, and to second guess decisions we have made.



During this period of waiting God has been working. He has not been surprised by the low offers we have received. He has not been surprised that the house we wanted got another offer. He has not been surprised that we are still in Arkansas. He has a purpose and a plan in every part of our waiting.



We have seen God's provision in allowing Courtney to finish her sophomore year here in Arkansas. We have been thankful for more time with friends here in this state. God has taught me more about His character and His faithfulness. God has given me time to allow my trust and faith in Him to grow rather than to rely on my circumstances.

I looked up wait in the Merriam -Webster dictionary and here are some of the definitions:

• to stay in a place of expectation of
• to look forward to expectantly
• to be ready and available

That gives me a better idea of what it means to wait upon the Lord...rather than thinking of being deprived it gives a picture of eager expectation.

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

"Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors." Proverbs 8:34

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." Lamentations 3:25

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning." Psalm 130:5-6

Now I am looking forward to expectantly to see what God is going to do in our situation and what else He is going to teach me about His character.

To Finish Well

Pinewood Derby Days

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Hebrews 12:1

Last Saturday was the Pinewood Derby for our Cub Scout Pack. Benjamin and Josiah had a great time creating their cars (and thanks to Matt for helping cut out their detailed shapes!)Unfortunately, Benjamin was sick so he didn't get to see his car race but we enjoyed watching the cars compete against the others from the pack.

As I sat there I thought of how each car began the same...all the boys had an "Official Pinewood Derby" kit with a block of wood, 4 wheels and 4 axles. On race day it was amazing to see how many different designs could be made with the same materials. The cars were all designed for the same purpose...to be in the race and to hopefully win the race.

As believers we are very much like a Pinewood Derby car. We are all made to be in a race...not a race down a pinewood derby track, but the race that God has set before us. We are "shaped differently" with our gifts and personalities but our shape and gifting comes with a purpose...to be in the race and to race with our eye on the goal. We may not be the "first one down the track" but the important thing is for us to be in the race and to finish the race.

Our goal is to "run with perseverance the race marked out for us". In this season of my life with several children at home my goal is raising them and pointing them toward Christ. My desire is for them to grow up loving God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. I also want them to see that God has uniquely designed them. God may call Courtney to be a writer, Isaiah to be a missionary, Benjamin to be a pastor, Josiah to be a football player, Caleb to be a lawyer, Whitney to be a nurse, and MaryElise to be a youth worker. Who knows? The important thing is for them to follow God with their whole heart and serve Him with the way He has gifted each one of them.

As they grow and leave home, the focus of my race will change but the goal will always be the same...to finish the race and to finish well.