What Are You Waiting For?

Today I read the following article.  It blew me away.  I wish I had read it years ago as a single woman.  But, it is helpful to this married woman's heart, because it's principles are biblical and universal. 

What are you waiting for?  Waiting isn't just for single women.  I've spent many a day waiting for . . .

• school to start/end
• my prince charming to come on the scene
• my wedding day to arrive
• babies to spring forth
• doctors and lab results
• pain to subside following miscarriage
• my husband to get better
• a positive preganancy test
• sick children to get better
• sons to give their hearts to Jesus
• God to open the eyes of friends who are spiritually blind
• God to reveal His will for the next step of my mission

During those waiting times I am drawn to my knees in desperation.  And there I find Him, ever patient, ever sure.  A painful lonely place is suddenly warmed by His light and love.  I am no longer alone in my waiting places.  And you don't have to be alone in yours either.

"I just didn’t want to wait anymore – didn’t want to live like I was waiting on anyone to get here.  I already have Him … and He is everything."  - Grace

Click the following link to drink more in . . .

I Don't Wait Anymore

 "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day."
Psalm 25:5

"Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Psalm 27:14

"For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth." Psalm 37:9

"Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation."
Psalm 62:1

 

"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, Who acts for the one who waits for Him."
Isaiah 64:4

 

"Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.  For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him." Isaiah 30:18

"But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."  Isaiah 40:31

"It is good that one should hope and wait quietly, for the salvation of the LORD."  Lamentations 3:26

 

Reflecting On Marriage - Nine Years Later

Today is a special day for Tim and me.  Nine years ago today we said, "I do!" And by God's grace, we are still saying it, throughout the sunshine and the storms of life. 



Before I was a bride, I sniffled and got teary-eyed at weddings.  My heart cried out, "I want that!"  Now I cry at weddings because I know what they are heading into: God's most sanctifying relationship.  Whether married or single, our loving and gracious Father God appoints sanctifiers (people or things that help us to grow into the people God wants us to be): children or lack of children, jobs, pets, disappointment, financial strain, loneliness (for marrieds and singles), stress, illness, painful relationships, death, and plain old heartache.



I am thankful that I married Tim.  Since our wedding I have grown and changed so much that I hardly recognize myself.  And this is a very good thing. 



Here is a short list of some things I've learned since our wedding day:

1. Only God can meet our deepest longings.  Only God never disappoints.


2. Tim and I are very different, and that's a blessing.  We are happiest when we appreciate and respect our differences.


3. I cannot change my husband, nor should I even try.  The best thing to do is take it to the Lord.


4. Tim is my best friend - not always in the warm-fuzzy sense of the word, but in the reality of faithfulness and always being there for me.  As I am for him.


5. If I want to be close to Tim, I need to be close to the Lord.


6. I married a godly man who has a lot of wisdom to offer - I only need to ask!


7. Sometimes married women are envious of single women.


8. If you survive the yucky stuff, the treasures are well worth the perseverance and hard work.


9. There is nothing better than serving God together as a husband and wife team, and then as a family.


10. God is honored by a godly marriage - it is a living picture of His love for us.

I praise God for my marriage.  And I testify that in God's will and timing, marriage is a very, very good thing.