The other day, as I was picking up twigs and dog toys in the yard, I noticed something on the ground. Leaves. And not just one or two of them. Lots of them.
And while I realize that autumn will be upon us soon (much to my dismay), I am not ready for the annual leaf falling in August. August!!! Hello? It is way too early for the leaves to be falling from the trees.
And with the falling leaves as the trees prepare for the winter ahead, I realize that I will face yet another season of waiting on the Lord.
You see, God is doing something in my life. He’s spoken to me about particular things and promised that He would work things out in those places that are so in need of Him.
He spoke these things to me. I know it was Him because I know His voice. We’re friends, He and I. We talk all the time and sometimes just hang out together quietly, knowing we don’t need words to be together.
He knows me and I know Him. Well, He knows me a lot better than I know Him, if I’m totally honest. He created me and purposed me and placed particular gifts and abilities in me, intentionally designing me to be the woman that I am. Oh, yes, He knows me.
Yet, here it is almost fall—again. The thought of another season without any more answers is not appealing to me. Not at all. I’m a planner, a go-getter, a doer. I like to know. To know what is coming next, what my part is, how it’ll get done and what the outcome will be.
That’s not happening. And hasn’t been for some time now. And I know there are lots of lessons to be learned here. Believe me, I’m learning them. And growing and stretching in ways I never imagined.
I prefer to learn things the easy way, but when I don’t get it quite right or miss it completely, my God will bring it around again to give me another opportunity to learn the important lesson He has for me. He’s good that way. And patient, too.
I’m not nearly as patient as He is. Apparently, we’re working on that. I’m getting better, too. But in those times when I find myself being less patient or getting discouraged or questioning Him, He is so gracious to let me know that He is, indeed, working on it.
And this week I was again given Habakkuk 2:3,4 to hold onto:
But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
That’s His promise to me. And to you, too. To all of us really. I don’t know what plan or vision He’s given you, but you know what it is. That’s all that’s important. That, and the confidence to know that if God said it He will be sure to do it. For I am reminded that His ways are not my ways, and His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9) and, although I may have a great idea for getting things done, God’s ways are always better.
So, as I look out the window and see even more leaves falling gently from the trees as a new season approaches, I remind myself that my God is, indeed, in charge of all things. That He is working in ways I cannot see with my own eyes. And at the “right” time, He will reveal His plan to me and the vision He’s given me will be fulfilled.
What about you, friend? What vision has God given you that you are still waiting upon? Don’t be discouraged. God is working on it! While waiting sure is hard, when it comes to pass, you’ll understand why it had to be done His way and then it’ll all make sense.
In the meantime, you don’t have to wait alone. Feel free to contact me and I’ll be more than happy to lift you in prayer while you wait and to even partner with you during this time to help you get the most out of this period of waiting. And when it “surely takes place” we can rejoice together!