If God followed our timing, we wouldn’t grow and develop in our relationship with God or with others. We can begin to feel satisfied as we practice this virtue. We develop patience, a fruit of the Holy Spirit, through practice and under trial ( CCC 1832). God uses the time of waiting to stretch our faith in him. Sometimes we can be so stubborn and get in the way of God’s timing by choosing the wrong decision, acting too quickly, telling God “no,” and even forgetting God at times. So often we want what we desire immediately, not later. When I reflect on this incredible plan, I can only be filled with wonder and thankfulness.īeing patient for God’s timing is extraordinarily difficult, but well worth the wait. That’s at least how long I can think back to decisions and opportunities God placed in my life that laid the foundation for my first job. I was called a few weeks later and offered the position. They were looking to fill a position fitting my interests and area of study. Over spring break, I visited an organization I had interned with previously. While I still thought constantly about the vast openness my future held after graduation, reminding myself that God had my back was reassuring. My mother told me to pray whenever I felt anxious, and to leave my future in God’s control. At one point, I even made myself sick by not getting enough sleep over several days. No matter what my family or friends said to encourage me, I worried 24/7. The last semester of my senior year of college, I had so much anxiety over finding a job. Oh how quickly we stumble and forget this trust in God’s plan for us. Her ceiling sticker was a reminder for us to place our burdens in God’s hands and trust that he would guide us through our triumphs and tribulations. Her favorite saying was, “FROG it!” F-R-O-G stood for, “Fully Rely On God.” Whenever someone expressed anxiety, sadness, or some other emotion, our teacher would tell us to FROG it. Used with permission.In high school I had a teacher who kept a cute frog sticker on the ceiling above the doorway to and from the classroom. Photo Credit (both photos): Lauren Heaton. For if we wait for the Lord, we wait in hope, and his hope does not disappoint (Psalm 130:5 and Romans 5:5). The next time you are tempted to dive in with your own plans, eat that raw cookie dough, I encourage you to take a moment to pray for patience with God’s timing. “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” John 10:10 ![]() We know all too well the pain in waiting for God to transform no’s to our prayers and plans into yes’s to God’s plans. ![]() Jesus did this so God’s glorious yes could be shown in Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus intentionally said no to their prayer asking to heal Lazarus before his death. ![]() ![]() Take for instance the great faith and great disappointment of Martha and Mary who fully believed Jesus could heal their brother Lazarus. God intentionally disappoints us as a part of revealing his even more glorious plan for us. God’s plans are always the fully baked chocolate chip cookies and in order for us to enjoy those cookies, God first has to tell us no. This is like when God answers our prayers with a no, or rather, wait. They appear to be really delicious, but also potentially harmful (darn salmonella poisoning), so our loving moms tell us not to eat the dough. Sometimes our prayers and plans are like raw cookie dough.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |