Peace in Patience

While I can look back at the past year and see progress that has been made in different aspects of my life, I can’t help but feel like I am still in a season of waiting. Yet again. In an effort to practice gratitude, I have been reflecting on 2024 and identifying where I can see God working in my life. I have two beautiful, healthy children, loving family and friends, a safe home, rewarding job and countless other things to be grateful for. I can look back at the past year and see where God led me, grew me, and protected me. I am so thankful for a God who promises that the plans he has for us are “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). We can trust that the future God sees for us is greater than anything we think we want, but it doesn’t change the fact that we are human and seasons of waiting are just hard and often leave us questioning.

Over the holidays I was catching up with a friend and lamenting about feeling currently “stuck” in life. Any parent or caregiver knows the lack of freedom that comes with being responsible for another life. While I believe parenthood is one of the greatest joys we can experience on earth, it requires sacrificing much of your own life and identity. I was telling my friend how much I loved our school-both as a teacher and a parent, but being in the place God called us to also had its downsides, like giving up time with the long commute and missing out on school and daily life with our neighbors. With how early we have to leave in the morning and how late we get home by the time work and activities are done, I often feel stretched too thin and as if I really don’t have the same hours in the day as everyone else or too often I am expected to be in too many places at the exact same time. My friend turned my perspective around when she said, “I know it’s hard right now, but you are doing what God has called you to do and He is going to honor that heart.”

While sometimes feeling like the rest of the world is moving on a different clock than I am, I have to rest in my patience and know that God’s ways are always better than mine and His timing is perfect. All the questions I have about when something might manifest, the Lord already sees beautifully fulfilled. Any disappointment I encounter is really just God’s protection. Anytime His answer is a “no” or “not yet,” we don’t need to wallow in the FOMO because He is protecting us from the things and people who are not meant for us and we can all take comfort in confidently knowing that what the Lord has ordained for you won’t pass you by. Not to mention, when we inevitably do get distracted by the insecurities that burden us when we want to move on our own timeline and forget to walk in God’s will, He gives us the grace to get back on track and still wants to bless us with everything He has in store for our lives.

Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,
    but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

-Psalm 37:7-9

Christian author, Joyce Meyer, wrote, “Patience is a fruit of the spirit that grows only under trial.” The waiting is hard, but there is reward in it. One thing I constantly have to remind myself in a season of stagnation is that the days and years will pass regardless of my mindset so why waste the time being uneasy with uncertainty when scripture commands us, “Do not be anxious about anything.” (Philippians 4:6). Every one of these moments spent waiting is a gift from God. Each morning we wake up with God-given purpose. God has a plan for each day He has given us and it is our responsibility to remember that our identity is in Christ and Christ alone as opposed to what we are waiting on.

If I had to pick one scripture to share with someone struggling with anything it would be Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I ruminate on that verse daily. I have seen God work for my good in all things, even unimaginable tragedy. I trust that following His purpose for me will unfold unimaginable joys that will reveal why timing and circumstances unfolded the way they did. I listened to a podcast the other day that quoted Dr. Charles Stanley as saying, “If we are willing to wait, we are willing to receive God’s best for our lives.” There is no reason to question that God isn’t always actively working for our good, even in a season of waiting.

Love, Molly

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