While You’re Waiting

I hate waiting. Most of us do. It seems like a waste of time. It’s like sitting at the side of a trail instead of hiking. Your body aches to get moving, but you don’t want to waste time and energy traveling the wrong direction. So when God says to wait, you wait. And maybe pace and sigh a little.

But there’s one verse in the Bible I love, because it tells me I don’t have to just sit by the trail getting cold, my legs cramping from inactivity. It says: “Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts” (Isa. 26:8). In other words—while walking, we wait. Sound like a paradox? 

When we’re waiting on the Lord to give us directions about a financial decision, relationship quandary, work situation, or health choice, we don’t want to move ahead of His will, but we can be productive. There are a lot of things we can act on, and that feels really good since our feet are made for walking. We walk in the way of His laws—His decrees or commands. 

That means, while we’re waiting, we can:

Be Truthful

With God, others, and ourselves. We can align ourselves with God’s truths stated in scripture. We can move forward in truth, even while we wait for Him to guide us with specifics.

Be Pure

Other words that come to mind are virtuous, moral, righteous, ethical. These may sound too churchy for your taste, but this is what gets us where we need to go. What is right according to God? That leaves out immoral thoughts and behavior. Selfish ambition and greed are also rabbit trails that lead to dead ends, as well as questionable partnerships.

Trust

When the forest is dark and quiet and we’re anxious about getting to our destination, it can be hard to trust God to show up in time. That’s when knowing His character helps us hang in there. He is trust-worthy. He has proven himself in the past and He is never late. He knows what needs to happen when, before we do. So we slow our pace, take a few deep breaths, and enjoy the scenery. Relax in His arms.

Savor Companionship

Though it may feel like we’re all alone on the trail, there are in fact many other hikers around. They may be waiting too and glad of the company. Share some trail mix—you’ll need the nourishment to sustain you. Laugh together, share stories, and do some stretches while you wait for instructions.

Praise

Too many times we hurtle through life at a ridiculous pace and miss the beauty of the moment. My dad used to hike so fast that I barely had time to look around and enjoy the view, and if I did I ended up tripping over roots and rocks. But God loves it when we take time to worship Him. Even when we’re not sure exactly where we’re going, He surrounds us with beauty worthy of our praise and adoration. He is good and His plans for us are good, even in times of pain and uncertainty.

This is not a comprehensive list—just a few ways we can keep moving forward on this journey of life, even while we’re waiting. I encourage you to ask the Lord what He wants you to do while you wait. And be ready to move out when He speaks.

Happy trails to you. I hope to see you at the end of the road.

#keepmoving #whattodowhenwaiting #walking #obeyingGod #wastedtime #happytrails

Not So Random Acts

A few years ago we started hearing about Random Acts of Kindness. As if it was a new idea. Actually, God started this a long time ago. And even though it’s fun to bless someone on a whim, it’s even better when you plan ahead. It still feels random to the person on the receiving end, but when you plan ahead, you can “act” more often.

What if we practiced kindness—not just randomly—but all the time, in different ways—so people would know there’s a God who cares and loves to bless them? Imagine how wonderful it would be when there’s a special offering at church or you see someone who needs some hope, if you were ready to do something about it?

Throughout the Bible we’re encouraged to “set aside” both money and time. It talks about setting aside your tithe (10% of your earnings) to keep the church running and help people at home and around the world.  “When you have finished setting aside a tenth…you shall give it to the Levite [the pastors of the day], the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied” (Deut. 26:12).  

 And Paul encouraged early believers to help others in need: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made”( 1 Cor. 16:2).

Maybe “random acts of kindness” sound like more fun than saving up. But you have to have resources so you can be spontaneous. Think of the possibilities.

Not So Random Giving

We put money in an envelope every payday. It’s so fun to see how God shows us how to spend it! Here are some examples: 

Giveaway bags for beggars—Money has a way of getting spent on drugs or alcohol, so instead, fill a bag with things they might need—socks, hats, food, toothpaste, vitamins, or a blanket. Include encouraging literature or a lightweight Bible, and a note to say you care.

Anonymous Surprises—Leave a note and $20 with a grocery store cashier with instructions—Apply this $20 to the bill of the next tired mommy (elderly person, single dad, or someone who’s going through a tough time), and give them this note. In it tell them they’re important, loved, or offer hope, and keep your identity secret.

Not So Random Time

This one is a challenge; we’re all so busy. That’s why it’s important to set aside time, before it melts away. Plan an hour to sit at a coffee shop and engage strangers in encouraging conversation, or extra time at the gym so you can listen to someone who’s having a hard day. Weed your elderly neighbor’s yard or take Gatorade to a construction crew on a hot day. Spend an hour a week building, sorting, answering phones, or serving people who need a helping hand.

Not So Random Words

Words have power, even when the grammar or spelling is imperfect. My daughter wrote this note when she was about six. I use it as a bookmark and it always makes me smile. It says, “Your my secret angle.”

Who needs words of affirmation, encouragement, or validation? Who needs a laugh or sigh? Who needs to know they matter; that they’re not alone?  Write notes ahead of time to give a waitress, waiter, sign holder, or teacher who needs to hear what a good job they’re doing. Include a gift card or extra tip. 

Note cards and emails can be read over and over without having to be deleted. Sometimes a text is just perfect. And a phone call or personal compliment can warm someone for days.

So go ahead, let the world think you’re practicing random acts of kindness, but you and I know it takes a little planning to change the world.

#randomactsofkindness #planahead #creativegiving #encouragingwords #loveonpurpose

Mom is a Verb

My body signaled it was under new management my first day of pregnancy. After a romantic weekend in the Pocono’s, the drive through New York City was punctuated by multiple stops to empty my already empty stomach. I thought I had the flu, but it was something much bigger than that. The action starts in the very first moments of motherhood.

It begins by changing our bodies as life grows inside. What a tremendous miracle—a tiny human is attached; growing and nourished by the cord of life between us! We wonder as our bodies stretch to make room. New changes at the end of pregnancy prepare us to birth and feed our child with uniquely formulated milk. We pray for this child we have yet to meet.

Delivery is a verb that strikes terror into the most courageous woman. But then there’s joy. We bond with this new person, known only by God up until now, where He knit them together in the secret place under our heart. The action picks up significantly.

Feeding, changing, rocking, singing, pacing back and forth in the middle of the night. Waiting for the first real smile, learning their coos and cries; being the only one who can understand what they’re saying. Sighing with pleasure the first time they hug us back. Wiping away tears, both theirs and ours, when we can’t figure out what’s wrong or make the hurt go away. And we pray.

As they grow, even more action is required. We move from carrying to chasing; from longing for them to say their first words to wanting to scream the next time they ask a “why” question. We still hug and kiss and tickle and play, but they’re on the move from our arms into the classroom of life. We pray even more.

In their teenage years, our action takes on more of an emotional element. We spent their formative years protecting, instructing, disciplining, and loving. They’re making more of their own choices apart from us now. We rejoice when they are kind, courageous, tenacious, and wise. We ache for them when they choose badly. We console and advise, and let them feel the pain and pray they will learn from it. We pray for wisdom to know when to rescue and when to urge them forward.

The action of the empty nest years takes new form. Our homes are spacious and quiet, but our arms sometimes feel empty. We encourage, rejoice, and learn from them. We listen when they call, biting our tongue when we want to say more than they’re ready to hear. We give when they’re needy. We work when they need a hand. We counsel when they ask and pray God will make them strong and give them joy.

And becoming a grand-mom is a different verb entirely. Back to rocking and feeding, singing and playing, only this time with more confidence and a store of memories from round number one. The “why” questions don’t bother us as much; we know that’s how they learn about the world, and God. We breathe in their baby scent, follow squirrels with them in the park, bend down to examine wildflowers, praise their efforts, and seek to build relationship. We want them to know they belong, they matter—to us and to God. And we pray for them and our children.

Moms of every age know how much energy it takes to do the job well. We blow it frequently, but God forgives, and often we get the chance to do better. Motherhood is the most physically, emotionally, and spiritually demanding work we will ever do, but when we do it with all our heart, we feel God’s pleasure. He is our example and Teacher; He is our energizing power when we have nothing left to give.

To all you mothers, I wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day! I hope you feel honored and special this weekend. 

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise” (Prov. 31:30-31).

#mothersday #whatmomsdo #tiredmoms #grandmothering #emptynest #proverbs31