Good morning, friends! Welcome to a new year filled with God’s bounty. Something I’m learning to do in this season of my life is wait for answers to my prayers. I have begun chronicling those prayers in a journal this year to keep track of who I’m praying for, their specific needs, and whether or not those prayers have been answered.
If I’ve told you that I’m praying for you, your petitions are in that journal. As those prayers are answered, I will make a note of that as well. Strengthening my prayer life is a goal of mine if I am truly to embrace 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV) ~Biblegateway.com
Sometimes, though, we have to wait a while to see or feel the effects of God’s attention to our cries, wails, and petitions. Two days ago, God sent me a reminder message that he is working on the miracle I began praying for back in September and wrote about in Waiting and referenced again with Waiting a While. Today he sent me another message to assure me that my prayers are in sync with his will. I was nearly reduced to tears by this realization — definitely happy tears. So I bundled up, left the house, and took a 45-minute walk along my usual path with my trusty Golden Retriever Marleigh.
As we walked, I thanked God for the wait and for placing this prayer on my heart — a prayer that isn’t even for me, but it’s a miracle that I long to see. Timely check-ins from God help us to trust him more and to draw even closer. I’m hopeful that you’ll get a check-in from him sometime soon as well.
Before you leave, listen to my Music Monday selection from Juanita Bynum entitled “I Don’t Mind Waiting.” I hope it ministers to you. May blessings abound! <3
Omg, sis… I’m celebrating our kindred spirits on this point today. Two days ago, the Lord brought me face to face with a desire that I’ve had since I was a young girl: to be married to the man I love and to build a healthy family together. I’ve been waiting for 20 years, and I’ve been close to giving up. But as this new year approached, a song containing the lyrics “He calls every dry bone to come alive, come alive.. breathe Your breath, oh God, now breathe…!” Can I just tell you that His breathe of life has reawakened dreams/desires in me that has had me tearfully overwhelmed for the last few days?! And then He told me the cost of the fulfillment of my prayers: waking up even earlier and spending time with Him. So THANK YOU, Michelle, for sharing your heart on this vital point and for providing confirmation. Waiting is a spiritual matter, to be clear. And,… I don’t mind. I don’t mind. #itiswellwithmysoul
This is beautiful! Your message is an answer to my prayers. People need to know that God hears you–even when your words are in the form of tears. Sometimes, he simply wants you to wait. Love and hugs to you, Sis!
I feel waiting is a skill that must be developed. I don’t think anyone wants to wait if it isn’t of any benefit to wait. A key to waiting is an ability to discern. If we are waiting, we definitely want to make sure we are waiting for the right reasons or purpose. There is a certain wisdom in knowing what to wait for and actually doing it.
Mills, you’re right. Waiting is a skill. A dear blogger friend also reminded me that waiting is not necessarily a passive thing. We can serve others as we wait. We can pray for others as we wait. We can do a host of things while waiting. Have a wonderful week back with the kids, my friend.
Very uplifting and inspiring. Knowing how to wait is important. Waiting is not always a passive position, it is all about the attitude while waiting. Faith is the substance of tings hope for… if one does not know how to wait one can miss out on his or her blessings.
Yvonne, I’m so glad that God allowed our paths to cross. Whenever the Spirit speaks to me and I am allowed to write these posts, he also speaks through you to remind me of what I should be doing…case and point: “Waiting is not always a passive position.” Thank you, Sister. May blessings abound in your life! May God assure you today that he hears your cries and hasn’t forgotten you and all that he has purposed you for. Love and hugs to you, Sis. <3
Waiting is a challenge. Most of us have short attention spans and think we need things immediately. Thanks for this reminder.
In this day and age, waiting is a foreign language. I’m pretty good with my patience. Thanks for this inspiring post.
Thank you for sharing this with me. I need to recall that I should wait to get the correct answers.
Sometimes our waiting period is God preparing us for what we’ve been asking for. Sometimes our waiting period is God trying to get us to forget what we’ve ask for because he has something better for us. In either regard, waiting is a time of preparation and as much as it may feel like a denial, if we view it as a time of development it can become easier.
Wise words, Anitra. It has taken me more than 40 years to come to that realization. I’m grateful to be connected to such wise, faithful blogging friends like you. <3
Waiting can be so difficult. I have to remind myself that God is working it all out behind the scenes, and that I have all the resources before me to manage until he has revealed the next step.
Waiting can be so difficult to do! I have to remind myself that God is working hard behind the scenes and that I have the proper resources in front of me to manage while waiting for the next step from him.
It’s necessary to wait. I didn’t really realize that until last year; 2016 was a year of revelations for me. When God began to show me why I had to wait, it started to make sense. I’m learning to make use of my time by serving others while I wait.
We are a world of instand gratification and I’m struggling with patience myself
Don’t we all struggle with patience. Until we ask God to help us learn to wait an to serve while doing so, we’ll continue to repeat this cycle of impatience. Have a beautiful week! <3
Waiting is hard but the reward is always worth waiting for!
Agreed, Ashlee. Happy Monday! <3
Although a struggle, I’m slowly learning to be more patient. Great message here!
Thanks, Kimberly! <3