Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

 Psalm 27:14

My mother and sister were artisans when it came to counted cross-stitch. Carefully and meticulously, they added stitch by tiny stitch until the blank canvas was transformed into a stunning masterpiece.

The process was slow and tedious, at least in my eyes. I took a stab at it, but soon I would toss it aside. Did I mention I am not a very patient person? I love to draw, cook, redecorate, sew large items, recover chairs, and the like. Anything where I can see the results quickly.

I’ve tried to raise vegetables but the constant pampering of the plants for weeks at a time quickly grew tiresome.

So when I beseeched God on a specific request, I sensed him telling me to wait. Wait? Me?

Lord, how long do I wait? A month? Maybe even a year?

I decided to settle in for a while like the Israelites when they were exiled to Assyria. God told them, Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce (Jeremiah 29:28). So that is what I am doing. Well, except for the gardening.

Israel’s situation was not swiftly resolved. In fact, it would be 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10).

I have been waiting now for several years. For a spontaneous person like me, that has been quite a challenge!

How do I keep believing?

By remembering the times God has been faithful to me in the past. It is because of those times that I know I can trust him.

By remembering his promises. Sometimes I think he delays because he is waiting to see if we really believe his word.

By going on with my everyday life. While hoping for the future, I don’t want to miss all the wonderful things God is doing right now.

If you are in a season of waiting as I am, join me in living for today as we wait for our promises to be fulfilled.

Terri