Waiting is Worth It

So one of my new favorite CDs is For Those Who Wait by Fireflight. I bought this and two other CDs on a whim when a local Family Christian Store was going out of business. There are a lot of songs on this CD that speak to me but today I am going to talk about the title song For Those Who Wait. My favorite lyrics are in the bridge.

The pressure makes us stronger. The struggle makes us hunger. The hard lessons make a difference and the difference makes it worth it.

If I always got what I wanted when I wanted it, I would miss all the growing in the process. This time of waiting makes me stronger, makes me realize what I really want, and ultimately makes a difference in my outlook that makes all the struggles worth it. I have learned that it isn't just about the outcome and the destination, it's about the waiting. And someday I'll see it was all worth it. It is no accident that the current unit I am helping teach in Children's Church is about waiting. It is no coincidence that church service after church service, day after day, God is reminding me that waiting is worth it. God knows exactly what he's doing.

One Week Down

This week has been great! I've been getting up early and going walking and praying. I've really been enjoying my time with God. The reason I decided to walk and pray as opposed to just getting up to pray is that I have had a problem in the past getting up to pray and falling back asleep. Maybe it's just the devil fighting me, but more than once the plan to get up and pray without walking has failed. So because I am actually getting out of the house I am able to stay awake while I pray. I know that some people think Christians should have time where the total focus of their time is prayer, but I'm doing what works for me right now. I am actually running a little at the beginning and end of my walk so I am getting a little exercise in there too. My purpose is definitely prayer, but yes I am doing something else while I pray. I am not sharing this to brag on myself but to offer an option that may work for someone else who has problems getting up to pray. I have been asking God for some direction regarding the new things God is bringing to me. It's amazing to me how God leads and guides in ways I don't expect. I know that after all these years, God still moves out the box I try to put him in because he is God and his ways are higher than mine. When you ask God to lead, you expect him to open doors or give ideas, but this week, God has been giving me direction by letting me hear my prayers. When I am praying out loud while I walk I actually am able to hear what I am praying for. I know that I am opening myself up to be led by His Spirit while I pray and the things that are coming out of my mouth are put there by God himself and it amazes to me. No, I don't have all the answers and probably never will, but I am able to see a glimpse of what is coming through hearing myself pray. Also, I truly believe that God leads by giving us the desires of our hearts. I don't mean he gives me what I want, although he is definitely capable of this. I mean he actually puts desires in me that I never would have had otherwise. When I start getting excited about the possibilities and things that may or may not ever happen, I know that God is preparing me for something big. I am sitting on the edge of my seat with my spiritual eyes wide open. Also, this week I did Turbo Kick Boxing 3 times and loved every minute of it. I think I am probably in the best shape of my life. No, I'm not my skinniest, but I have more endurance and my legs and arms are getting toned. Tax season is over and we are getting a chance to breathe again. I know that we don't normally work as much as some big CPA firms, but we worked a lot and I am glad to get back to weeks closer to 40 hours. We are working on quarterly payroll, which should be done next week and then just working on the non-profit returns and odd jobs. Next week we are getting our patio expanded and a pergola added on the back of our house. We are hoping to be able to have a cookout for Father's day over here since Jill will be in town. I'm sure BJ's parents and mine would enjoy coming over to cook out and probably play some cards. I'm not sure we have ever had a get together without playing cards. :) On April 29-May 1, BJ and I are going to a cabin for a few days to celebrate our 6th anniversary. We found a cabin up by Davis OK. This is just far enough away to be away but not so far that it takes forever to get there. I like that. Tomorrow the playoffs for the Mavs start, so I'm sure we will be over at my parents tomorrow to hang out and then watch the game. BJ is about the make the house stink as he prepares stuffed jalapenos and smokes them on the grill for the get-together tomorrow. Also, I have children's church and Sunday School. I should probably get off and finish getting all that together for tomorrow.

New Things

I am struggling getting this blog started because I don't know where to start or how to organize my thoughts. Usually I at least have a sentence or scripture verse to start with but not today. So if my thoughts seem a little scattered, they are. Also I am having some hesitation as to what should be shared and what shouldn't. In general I try to share what God is showing me so that others can be encouraged and strengthened by Gods word just as I was, but I try to be vague as to how it specifically applies to me. The main reason I do this is because I don't want to mention people specifically so they don't get hurt (if it is a compliment, I am the first to share that, however), but also I believe there are things God shares with me that aren't to be shared. Ok, so now I've gotten through the intro, so its time for some substance. God is doing some new things in me. I'm not sure what all it means, but I know something is on the horizon. Yesterday at church I was surrounded by people but I felt alone. At first I thought this was the devil trying to make me feel inadequate and overlooked but I realized it wasn't the devil, but God drawing me to himself. God is trying to strip away all the things that make me comfortable and that I depend on so that my only option left is to trust him. That is very exciting and very scary at the same time. I don't like change, but I'm excited for whatever it is God is leading me to. He is prompting me to study some things to prepare me for whatever is next. Thanks to Pastor, who has given me a whole shelf of books over the years, I don't even have to go buy any new books to start studying. Those books, or at least some of them will actually get some use. I guess he knew I'd use them eventually, or at least he hoped I would. This new page is actually a quite welcome distraction. For the past 20 months or so I have been trusting God for something I haven't yet seen come to be. I know God will provide in his time, so in the meanwhile, I'm glad that he is growing me and maturing me while I wait. It's kinda like having a good book to read on your 12 hour trip to your grandparents. Anyway, as I dedicate myself to this new challenge, I pray that I will see God keep his word and the waiting will be over before I know it.