Learning to Wait by Susan Barclay

 

I'm at a stage right now where, in addition to the technological distractions that consume many of us, life itself is a distraction from my writing. I hate to harp on it, but between working part-time and caring for my mom full-time, writing is on the back burner. The waaaay far back burner, out of reach at this time. 

I suppose the good news is that God sees, God knows, and God cares. He knows how He's gifted me, why He did so, how and when He plans for it to be used to the full. In the meantime, my role is to accept my circumstances and commit all things to His timing and ways. What's important right now, what's important always, are the people in front of me whom God has given me to serve: my husband, my mother, my young adult children.

I am learning to wait, which is a very necessary skill. The Bible speaks of many who had to wait before the Lord fulfilled His promises to, or purposes for, them. I think of Noah waiting for the rain even as he worked on the ark; of Abraham and Sarah waiting for the birth of their son; David waiting for God to deal with Saul and install him as King of Israel; and more.

Some scriptures encourage me:

Psalms 27:13-14   I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalms 37:34  Wait for the LORD and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land; you will look on when the wicked are cut off.

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Isaiah 30:18   Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Isaiah 40:31   but they who wait for 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.

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

In addition to reading scripture, there are other things I can do as I wait. I can worship. That is time that is always well spent. I can listen to Lectio 365 morning and evening devotionals to encourage my heart. I can squeeze in moments of reading for learning or pleasure when I'm eating breakfast alone, or on my work break, or waiting for the doctor to call my mother in for her scheduled appointment. Reading is an important activity for writers as we learn from both good and bad writing and get ideas for subjects we might want to explore further through our own work.

All is not lost during this season of distraction and waiting, therefore I will neither moan nor mourn. Instead, I set my face toward the One who made me, who knows me, who planted in me the desire to write, and trust that He is birthing something new. And I believe it's gonna be great - because He is!

___________________________

For more about Susan Barclay and her writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com