Awake oh my soul, Awake!
How to Be Patient!
Photo By: Flickr/Valentina Powers - Waiting
Yikes, that is a hard one. How to be patient waiting for what you KNOW is coming—but in God’s perfect timing. Like a kid waiting for Christmas, or the next birthday around the bend. What about the senior about to graduate, yet those few months have to pass by. Maybe you are the new parents and it just a matter of days before you finally HOLD that child! Just how are you to be patient?
My spirit within is excited as I see God’s plans unwind and I know that He has the perfect ending for the journey we are on right now. You can see the puzzle pieces connecting and at every turn when a new struggle presents itself and you start to wonder---His Hand brings you back to remember. Remember those words given when this change began during the Lenten Season. “Wait and pray! Over the next 6 months-- wait and pray.”
The changes in my life included health problems, putting what may seem to be a detour or at least a BIG speed bump on the journey. Another event was the sudden change in jobs right at Easter! Sensing that one job was ending, I was led by one of His fantastic mysterious ways to a door where I am teaching Music Classes at the MAC Center. MAC stands for Making Abilities Count. All my students have some type of unique special ‘disability’ that bring into my life daily the greatest gifts ever! Just as in the Nursing Homes where I have worked with the elderly—now I am blessed with more of God’s greatest gifts to mankind.
What is even more special to this person is the fact that my new beginning is in a building that was a place of sad endings. The Nursing Home that I stayed with until the final patient left and the doors closed, was transformed into a most beautiful place of learning and excelling in the lives of 50 plus young adults. (Read Blog about this transformation and the miracle at the grand opening of Mac). God is so good—all the time!
But what has this to do with being Patient? We know something awesome is coming, yet every moment of my days now, something will happen that may trigger me to get up tight! Or, if obedient—I can choose to take a breath, remember God’s promises and wait to see His Hand at work. A good friend once said that the 11th Commandment was “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” I agree—it doesn’t help to get upset anyhow.
My husband and I are growing spiritually in our faith as a couple, as we strive to be patient and wait for a house to sell so we can down size. We pray and wait to see what else God has planned for our life. As we wait, we also watch what is happing in the world and realize that our faith in God MUST be stronger than before. We know there are so many things about to happen that only God can control. We know that no matter how we may plan or prepare—the best laid plans, if not God’s plans, are wasted effort.
So, how to be patient? Wait and pray, watch and see, know that God is always good and ever present, and smile for His love always endures.
Recently I was also given a little helping image to connect me with Him in a blink of an eye. One day I noticed the limbs in the trees blowing about by the strong gusts as fronts moved in. These words came into my mind. “They are waving at God. They are saying—‘Come on down Lord Jesus.’”
I could almost sense their excitement and this excited my spirit too! This inspiration came as I was driving from the hospital dealing with new health issues that will be resolved by surgery next week. God knew I needed a special God hug, so the trees waved as I passed by, along with the Spirit of God and I smiled.
Ever since then, when I start to stress—there is always a waving tree within sight somewhere reminding me –God is here and even if you or I are not aware of this ---all of nature is!
Come on down, Lord Jesus—we are waiting and can’t wait for the return of the Lamb.
Hmm—instead of being patient—maybe we just get EXCITED! Just as the child waiting for what is awesome to come on Christmas or on that Birthday!! Yea, I like that thought.
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About the Author
Born the youngest of nine children, raised VERY Catholic across the street from our church and school—Mom and Dad led by example and word their FAITH in God and saw to it that I was given 12 years of Catholic Education. (Mount St. Mary’s Academy/1965)
But, most importantly, because of my parents’ spiritual renewal after attending Cursillo Weekends, I too went on a retreat at our beloved Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas and there, at age 20, gave my life totally, surrendering all to my Lord and best Friend. This was my “Pentecostal” event that left me, like all the early Christians, on fire with God’s love and forever changed.
My husband Robert and I have been married for 50 this year in a marriage arranged by God. We have 8 children, two in heaven, 24 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. The story of our life together can be found in a book titled “My Journey, My Cross-As the Journals End,” published by Westbow Press . Our life together has been one awesome up and down roller coaster ride which enriched my heart with so many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have found that the only way, Wisdom, Understanding, Words of Knowledge, Discernment, and Healing can be received is first by experiencing in your life the hurts of others. (and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2 v 35.
God has blessed me also many other talents and skills--but sometimes, blessings/gifts can and have caused problems or conflict in my life, as I am human and all too quickly that part of me shows up. Thank You God that You also show up!
Because of the many ways that He has rescued me, and taught me through my trials and tribulations and continuous cries for “Help”--- a weekly podcast radio show called “It’s Me, God” can still be found on www.radiotitans.com
