Wait is an appropriate word for this post, as I waited until Friday afternoon to write.
(If you have not yet seen what the Five Minute Friday is all about, click here. We write, we link our writings, and we enjoy fellowship. It's all about sharing and not perfectly scripted or punctuated, but real and wonderful.)
God's timing is not my timing-oooh, what a sensitive subject that has turned out to be in dark valleys of my walk. As Christians, we tend to use that phrase to encourage others but instead it pours salt in wounds already being wrestled with. If someone dear is waiting for something, a better encouragement would be, "I'm praying for you." (And then, please pray!)
Though, when Isaiah speaks of Waiting on the Lord, I don't think he means it in the sense of delayed gratification or postponed fulfillment of promise.
If I were a maidservant, a "lady-in-waiting", it meant more that my attention would be focused on that of my lady. If I am to "wait" on the Lord, I will direct my full attention and desire for life to please Him and ensure that what He wants is being brought to pass.
Thank you, King James English, for being so insightful and yet so difficult to relate to in the year 2015. :)
Truly, when my focus is on Christ and not my circumstances, my strength is renewed, refreshed, and I have a sense of purpose and value and energy that no amount of delicious creamy sweetened coffee can ever attempt to copy! Too often, we are "waiting" on our own selves, and therefore are exhausted.
May today be a day where you find new strength and hope in the promise of eternity and the anticipation of taking others with you! (For nothing else in our lives will remain, save the relationships we build before we leave)
~Tammy
Always striving to be transparent and sincere as I learn what the Love of God truly means. "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15)
Tammy-
ReplyDeleteYes! Nothing else remains but the relationships we take with us or to Him <---This is gold. We are precious in His sight. When we Believe and share that joy with others we are NOT waiting...we are BRAVE! When we bravely share His Word, when we pray for them, when we worship Him, etc...so important to remember that we wait upon the Lord. Look forward to following your blog and writing to you soon! FMF Snail Mail Friend and FMP Party girl, Jenn
Jennifer, thank you for your encouragement.
DeleteI too am excited to write to you and to gain new friends and new sources of edification and encouragement! :) Thank you for being in love with the same Jesus. I am so happy to know just a little more of the beautiful woman you are!
~Tammy
I am guilty of using that phrase that you mentioned to other people when they tell me that they are waiting for something. I like the suggestion that you used to say that,"I am praying for you." And thank you for the reminder that we need to save the relationships we build before we leave. Have a great weekend! Carrie (visiting from FMF)
ReplyDeleteCarrie,
Deleteoh, I have said some beautiful things that did not have the sensitivity they needed. And truly, it was only going through a pregnancy loss (very very early) that I found how unkind these Bible phrases could become to a grieving person. I felt guilty for my anger and wanting to lash out, but one who had been through my kind of loss simply said, "I'm so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you."
Her words soothed me like the sweetest balm available. That she was going to lift me up when I felt absolutely bottomed out-that was what I needed. :) Sometimes there are no words of comfort and we speak because we're uncomfortable.
So thankful you came over here and checked things out! I'm really excited to be a part of FMF. The community is all about building up others! Truly a blessing. :)
~Tammy
Beautifully Written
ReplyDeleteTonya, Thank you so much. Writing is something I enjoy, because when it's time to write, it seems to flow very quickly. My hope is that it will point to the greatest Author of all, always. It is through Him that any of these words come out with clarity or revelation.
DeleteI look forward to reading your writings as well!
~Tammy
I loved this line " Too often, we are "waiting" on our own selves, and therefore are exhausted." What great reminder!
ReplyDelete:) Cassi,
ReplyDeletethank you. Often, I share from learned experiences. Unlike King Solomon, any wisdom gained in my life is usually gained the hard way instead of granted upon request. Though, the lessons are more permanently etched and less easily forgotten.
~Tammy