Waiting

I just read Lysa's blog about an amazing God-sized experience that she had in helping to connect a woman with ministry. I usually don't read all the comments, but I read every one to see how God had used it in women's hearts.

So many women were encouraged by Lysa's story. They saw it as a word directly to them that God sees them in that place of waiting and that their turn is coming. Some women, though, read it with an aching heart and wondered, "God, when is it my turn?"

I can so relate to that second reaction. I remember the struggle with waiting that I had when we moved to Holly Springs. Nobody here knew me or knew my vision. To my lonely heart, it even seemed like no one cared.

I want to share, though, how God used that time of waiting. I am such a "doer". I am so known by this trait that I earned the nickname "Action Amy" from one group of friends ("Praying Pam" was my cohort, and I think she had the more flattering nickname!) God, in His great love and mercy, has taken me through several times when I felt that my life had been forgotten. All of you moms of young children know that your personal life becomes very hidden during those baby and toddler years. I promise that when the layers of diapers and toys are peeled back that your life will still be there, richer than ever from the lessons you've learned and the love of your children!

God has used those times when I feel "useless" to remind me that my significance lies completely in Him. I've felt so GOOD when I'm doing and so BAD when I'm not. God uses those times of quiet to whisper, "Amy, you are not loved or valuable for the things that you do for me. You are loved and valuable because I made you. You are mine. Find sufficiency in Me. Everything else is fleeting." How that has ministered to my heart and how thankful I am for the times of waiting that God has provided. For me, it has kept ministry from becoming idolatrous.

For my friends who are waiting, I know that it's really, really hard. In our Sunday school class last week, my friend Carol said such a profound and encouraging thing as we talked about the lessons of waiting. I had just said that we need to hold on to hope that those times aren't forever. They do come to an end. Carol said, "Not only do they come to an end, but great blessings come at the end of waiting. Jacob wrestled with the angel until he received blessing. We can wrestle through waiting knowing that there is blessing at the end."

My prayers are with you sisters as you wait and wrestle. Blessings to you!