Her hand was trembling as she lifted her coffee cup up for a sip. She was visibly shaken as she shared her story with me. 
“I didn’t see it coming” she said. A precious new friend I was having coffee with, was sharing her story with me. She had been hurt by some people she loved dearly and didn’t know what to do with the pain she was feeling. She felt blindsided. We shared together, we cried together, we prayed together. On my way home her story made me reflect on my own life, and those times I had walked through similar hurts and pain. It took me back to those times I was desperate to hear from the Lord about what to do in that situation. Have you ever had those “LORD PLEASE HELP ME NOW!” moments? I have had many in my lifetime.
“I didn’t see it coming” she said. A precious new friend I was having coffee with, was sharing her story with me. She had been hurt by some people she loved dearly and didn’t know what to do with the pain she was feeling. She felt blindsided. We shared together, we cried together, we prayed together. On my way home her story made me reflect on my own life, and those times I had walked through similar hurts and pain. It took me back to those times I was desperate to hear from the Lord about what to do in that situation. Have you ever had those “LORD PLEASE HELP ME NOW!” moments? I have had many in my lifetime.I found myself in those situations wanting my “soon” to become “now”. The transit, waiting for answers during those painful times, can be so difficult. But the only way I would ever reach the “now” was to wait, pray, and leave it in God’s hands. He paints the beautiful picture by His clock not ours. James 5:11 helped me so much during these times and helped my heart leap with hope! God will bring this to an end I kept telling myself, but until that time it was my job to settle myself, persevere in that hope from the Lord, and trust Him to grow patience in my heart. (Patience, is not an easy one for me)
Nobody knows how quickly “soon” will come. Only God.
Waiting for closure always exposed my level of faith and trust. It also exposed the shape of my character. I have to admit sometimes I failed miserably. Lord, just let this be over! I have thrown some really awesome pity parties during some of 
the “waits” in my life. But I have also learned that the journey to “soon” is vitally important and God is working even in the wait. Waiting makes us moldable in the Potter’s hand. He molds that wet clay and forms a real grown up person out of the child in me. It has taught me to take action while I wait. That waiting doesn’t mean I put everything on hold until that prayer is answered, and the nightmare over. It means I am cultivating an attitude of trust, casting my personal cares on the Lord while I continue on with my duties. He takes care of the rest. It is amazing the miracles I have uncovered in the “soon” moments. The longer I live the more I realize the journey from “soon” to “now” is really the most important of all.
the “waits” in my life. But I have also learned that the journey to “soon” is vitally important and God is working even in the wait. Waiting makes us moldable in the Potter’s hand. He molds that wet clay and forms a real grown up person out of the child in me. It has taught me to take action while I wait. That waiting doesn’t mean I put everything on hold until that prayer is answered, and the nightmare over. It means I am cultivating an attitude of trust, casting my personal cares on the Lord while I continue on with my duties. He takes care of the rest. It is amazing the miracles I have uncovered in the “soon” moments. The longer I live the more I realize the journey from “soon” to “now” is really the most important of all. I recently met up with my friend again to check in to see how she was doing. There were no tears on this visit, just smiles. She had walked through the journey and God met her in that “now” moment with such healing. My heart smiled when I listened to all that God did during her “wait”. In fact it was during the “wait” she received her answer. It made her “now” moment all the more precious. God answered far beyond what she ever dreamed. He’s good at that.
God blesses those who persevere, even in the wait.
Press on my friends, press on. Your soon will be “now”……..soon! Enjoy the journey until then
James 5:11 “As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.”
