Waiting

Waiting.

Hoping.

Expecting.

What are you waiting for? Hoping for? Expecting?  

Maybe you have been waiting for a blog post from me!  (Or maybe not.) Sorry I kept you waiting sooooo long!!

My retired, blog-writing, homemaker, church volunteer, traveler kind-of-life was interrupted last September by an unexpected job–a long-term substitute teaching job!  I decided to apply to substitute teach in music classrooms only, and instead of waiting  days on end for them to call me, I immediately filled a classroom for a teacher in the hospital with shingles!  Then I transitioned to another music classroom, where I taught full-time for the next three months!! Who knew music teachers would be in high demand right then?

Seriously, though, I doubt that you have been waiting, with bated breath, for my next blog post.

So, what HAVE you been waiting for?

I have been waiting for…..

…..a phone call with my next substitute teaching assignment.  (And that can be maddening….not knowing when you might have to drop everything and fill in for someone!)

…..a text in response to my text.  (You know that feeling….wondering if and when they will respond.  Wondering if they even saw your text!)

…..an answer to prayer.  (“Maybe you didn’t hear me, God.  Let’s try this one more time….”)

…..the fulfillment of a promise.  (Will I see the fulfillment in my lifetime?  Abraham didn’t.)

…..the next vacation!  (And yes, we have one or two planned for this year:-.)

…..for spring to arrive. (Lane swears he sees signs of spring already!)

…..for God’s direction.  (Where will He take me next?)

These are just a few of the things I’ve been waiting for. 

Maybe you are waiting for….a doctor’s report….a word from an estranged family member…..God to open doors for a new job…..God’s healing…..God’s voice directing your next step…..God to miraculously provide financially.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not good at waiting.  I get impatient.  Sometimes I step out on my own and that usually doesn’t turn out well.

Sometimes, I’m just immobile.  Not sure what to do next.  So, I sit on my hands and just wait, weary of the daily routine in the waiting.

You know what I realized this morning?  God’s mercies are new every morning.  Meaning, he has something fresh and new for me every day! 

Even if I’m still waiting for the answer, the phone call, the promise fulfilled, God has a plan for me TODAY:-).

I can’t be sure of tomorrow, right?  So, I live today in the light God has given me, the place he has me, and “don’t become weary in well-doing” because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.

Even a blog post after months of silence!  Trusting God to use my words, my obedience, to help someone else along their journey.

My verse for 2020 is perfect to keep me active and moving forward in the “waiting:”

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”  Romans 12:12

I am intentionally choosing and practicing a spirit of joyful hope, patience and a habit of prayer in 2020.  Will you join me as I seek God’s new mercies every morning, trusting He is working while I wait? 

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”  Psalm 5:3

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for new mercies every morning and the way you are working on my behalf, even when I can’t see it!  Help me to be “joyful” in the waiting, “patient” till you reveal your plan or answer, and faithful to talk to you daily.  You are El Roi, the God who sees, and I trust your heart and plan.

In Jesus’ name, Karen Renae