WAIT
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2
Watchful
Anticipation
In the midst of
Trust
I recently became a grandmother for the first time! There has been a lot of waiting for the arrival of this precious child! Waiting for my daughter to get married. Waiting for her to get pregnant. (Which, thankfully, wasn’t a long wait!) Waiting for the day of delivery. Waiting to meet my first grandchild. But, oh, was it so worth the wait! (For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him. 1 Samuel 1:27) Thank you, Lord!
Throughout each season of waiting, I learned to trust in the Lord. It wasn’t always easy, though! I wanted my children to find a mate that brought out the best in each other. Relationships came and went through the years, and I waited. And I prayed. And I trusted God. And I waited some more! And I continued to pray and trust. (Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2) Then God answered my prayers like only He can-with a flourish! My daughter got engaged in March 2022 and married in June 2022! My son got engaged in October 2022 and will be married in September! Their mates are a blessing to my children and our family. We all enjoy spending time with each other, making memories as our family grows. Thank you, Lord.
Several months after the wedding, we found out my daughter was expecting their first child! The due date was May 7, and the waiting began. It was fun to watch her baby bump grow as we anticipated the coming of our first grandchild. What joy filled our hearts every time they sent a sneak peak of the baby in utero! My daughter and son-in-law decided not to find out the gender, so we waited in excited anticipation for the big reveal on D-Day! Then, complications arose in March. Prayers were adjusted, and the waiting grew tense. We sent out prayer requests all around the world and gave our concerns over to the Lord. (Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. Then the peace of God that exceeds all understanding will keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7) The due date was pushed back to 37 weeks, so the baby would come early but still be full-term. The delivery went smoothly, and my daughter gave birth to a baby boy on April 18! The waiting was over, and God answered our prayers once again in a flourish! No complications during delivery, a healthy fully developed baby, and despite his small size, no need for NICU! (Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by His power at work within us. Ephesians 3:20) Thank you, Lord!
The “last wait” was the shortest and most exciting-just four days, including a 2-day drive, to meet our new grandson! My daughter and son-in-law helped us bide the wait by sending lots of pictures and videos! Words cannot do justice to the emotions I felt upon holding my grandson for the first time. How can such a tiny human fill my heart to overflowing? I imagine this is how God felt about us as He formed us in the womb. (You guided my conception and formed me in the womb. You clothed me with skin and flesh, and You knit my bones and sinews together. You gave me life and showed me Your unfailing love. My life was preserved by Your care. Job 10:10-12) I could not help but rejoice in the Lord as I held this miracle baby in my arms! Thank you, Lord!
We all go through various seasons of waiting. As we anticipate the outcome, let us trust God in the midst of the season. Some of those periods will be long and drawn out, while others will be short-lived. Some will be stressful, while others will be eagerly awaited. May they all fill us with hope as we trust in God. (May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13) Whatever season of waiting you are in, know that God is waiting with you. Although His answer will come in His timing, it will be worth the wait, for during that time we will grow closer to Him.
Lord, help me during seasons of waiting to trust You. In times of doubt, fill me with hope. In times of fear, fill me with peace. Let me not grow weary, but renew my strength, because I know You hear my prayers. Thank you, Lord! Amen
