Showing posts with label resting in Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resting in Jesus. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Gift of Waiting

The telephone rang and I rushed to answer it. I’d been waiting to hear some news about my husband’s job. He had recently interviewed for a higher position with his company.

When I picked up the phone, Michael’s words were sweetness to my soul. “I got the promotion, Babe!”

I squealed for what seemed like a minute or two. I sounded just like the moms of American Idol contestants after their children call them to say they made it to the finals. It was long awaited news that made my heart leap.

Michael had returned to college in 2008 to get a degree that could be used in the medical diagnostics field after being laid off from jobs four different times. He had been in the IT (Information Technology) field in his past job history. But due to his lack of new certifications, he hadn’t been able to get rehired in that field. His dream was to use his IT skills in the medical field somehow.

His long time dream came true that day on February 27, 2012. I’ll never forget that day. It was also the day my ninety-six year old grandfather passed away. I know those two things were connected somehow. I don’t believe in coincidences anymore. God is too big and awesome for things to happen coincidentally.

I can’t begin to put into words what that promotion meant to us. We had waited for years and years and years to see God fulfill this desire and dream. This promotion pushed us closer to our other dream of adopting a child from Uganda. It was worth the wait. Waiting makes it so much sweeter than it does to get things instantaneously.

I remember when I was a little girl; there were movies that I had to wait a whole year to watch. We didn’t have DVDs or videos to watch. So every year, I was excited beyond measure to watch the Sound of Music again or to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Christmas time. It didn’t matter that I had to wait a whole year to see the shows and movies. The waiting made it blissful for me when the time arrived for me to see them again.

Waiting can be hard. We can begin to have doubts that good things are coming. But as followers of Christ, we are promised that all things work together for “good” for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).

There is an old phrase I remember hearing, “Good things come to those who wait.” I love that phrase, but I would add a few words to it. “Good things come to those who wait in faith.”

Are you waiting for something that you know in your spirit is coming? Are you getting weary in the waiting?

Jesus said, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). We can rest in His words and know that as we are waiting and believing, His good plans will unfold.

It’s worth the wait. It’s worth it because when you finally receive your blessing, you will have so much joy that you will feel as though you may burst with glee.

Hang on and trust Jesus. Your time of blessing is coming.



And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. ~ Hebrews 6:15 NIV

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. ~ Psalm 27:14 NIV

Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. ~ Isaiah 40:31 NASB

Live Abundantly!
Amy 
The photo was downloaded at http://www.stockfreeimages.com/

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Magnificent Love

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. ~ Ephesians 3: 17-18 (NIV)

The sun was slowly slipping behind the horizon. I was driving alone, heading north. I was talking softly to the Lord. I came to the top of a hill when I saw the most breathtaking view of the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. It was majestic. 

I had driven this route more times than I could count. I’ve always loved the mountains. But this was different. The way the sky appeared and the way the mountains surrounded me captured every fiber of my being. 

Christ's presence came to me so powerfully that it felt tangible, heavenly in an inexpressible way. As my worship music softly played, the voice of the Lord whispered words to my heart.

My love for you is higher and wider and more magnificent than these beautiful mountains.

My heart melted in His presence. Heaven touched me and drew me close to the heart of God. I basked in His great love for the rest of my trip.
 
I am grateful to have encounters like this with Jesus in my normal, everyday life. Some days, distractions rob me of the quietness my soul needs. It's very easy to be in a big hurry and miss these spectacular God moments.

We don't have to be driving through beautiful scenery to feel God's presence. We can commune with the Maker of the heavens and earth at any moment of the day.

Jesus is waiting for each one of us to stop what we're doing and rest in His perfect love.
Remember to slow down. Be quiet. Listen closely and let His presence wash over you.

A Prayer

Beloved Jesus,

Our hearts long to have more of You. Help us to see and feel how great Your love is. Help us to rest in Your presence continually. We love You. Amen.

A Thought to Ponder

The love of Jesus beckons us to open our hearts to Him. 

Live Abundantly!
Amy