Twiddly Dee

Wait patiently for the Lord.
    Be brave and courageous.
    Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Do you look at God, with that awful, whiny voice that you used to give your mom when you wanted something and you weren't getting your way, and tell Him that you are just so sick of waiting?  I have.  Actually, I'm doing it now.

I've heard this verse over and over, but yet it's never been as convicting as it was today.  A big shout-out to Jeremy Camp for posting it today and making my self-pity seem minimal.  

  

What's that song?... "While I'm Waiting"?  

It's a song by John Waller.  

I fell in love with it when I was in high school 

and sent it off with a friend 

who didn't know what to do with his life.  

I wasn't quite at that stage yet, 

but I knew one day I would be...

like now.  

So as many of you know (if you don't yet, you will soon discover), that I am a huge advocate and lover of studying one verse over and over.  I guess it's my PR skills that have taught me to be detail-oriented and analyze everything!  Or maybe I'm  just a nerd... But either way, I always look at every word in the text.  

First line:

Wait patiently for the Lord.

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm already at that stomach-twisting point when you see the verse and you know you need to read it, but you also know that as soon as you really get into it the Jesus in ya is going to come around with that still, small voice and remind you of something you'd neglected for far too long.  Because I'm in the whiny state, that is not what I wanted.  But this morning, I didn't knock Him.

Wait: key word right here (mark it down). 

I hate waiting, I am so impatient (just ask my mom or my friend Kelsie).  Waiting is just such a bummer!  And here God is tellin' us to wait patiently (um ten times harder).  It's like you're all pumped up, ready to go, and them you sit... and think of all the amazingness you could be experiencing if you didn't have to rely on the other person to get their junk together.  Maybe it's my independent nature.  Well, sorta independent.  I like to know what's going on at all times, but I hate to make the decision.  

My mom always had a schedule when we were growing up.  If I was going to have friends over that Friday night, I needed to let her know at the beginning of the week so she could get snacks, prepare beds, etc.  Spontaneity isn't really in our nature.  Though looking at me now, I am very glad she prepared me to be that way.   Now don't get me wrong, we can still have some good random fun, but we like to know what's included in the fun.  

What is it your waiting on?  

Keep whatever it is (or they are) 

in mind while reading the rest of this.

So we know we've gotta wait patiently, but don't leave out the second part of this which says to "wait patiently on the Lord." 

There are so many times in our life when we get me and I in a position of priority.  Sure, we need to have a good head on our shoulders, definitely pray for wisdom, and act accordingly.  But I think we leave out a very valid point when we wait for what we want to happen rather than wait on what He wants to happen.  

How many times have you prayed for something (or maybe you didn't even get that far) and when something good happens, you automatically assume its "the right thing"? 

I've been in this position oh so many times.  I wait and wait and I take the first encouraging sign as a definitive answer, rather than waiting around to make sure it's what He wants.

I think there is a lot you can accomplish while your waiting.  Besides the obvious attributes we hear all the time ("learning patience" being one of the most obnoxiously common one), you might just discover yourself along the way.

The past year or so, I've been waiting.  I waited and waited for a friend that just got me, direction for my future career, enthusiasm and opportunity to shine for Him, and many other situations in which I am still waiting (it sucks).  But one thing I have discovered along the way is that I am finding out who I truly am.  

Elizabeth Wickline:

The independent

stubborn

introverted

family-centered

beauty-seeking

easily distracted

conflict fleeing

ditzy

eating disordered

self-conscious

fashion-loving

craft guru 

with a heart for teen/college girls who struggle with prizing themselves in God's eyes

and love's love stories.

It's been a very bumpy ride.  Like at least 100 miles of pot holes.  But one thing I've learned, if I don't wait on His timing, I will get lost on a side road and miss out on the adventure He has waiting on me. 

It comes back to that word we all love so very much: trust.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Trust that all the waiting and nail-biting is going to be worth it.  Don't get distracted from the adventure He has for you.  I promise you, when you receive that overwhelming peace, you'll know which direction or decision is right.  No more twiddling thumbs or aimless wandering.  Just total and complete contentment.  

So I realize that I've only touched on the first line of this verse.  Guess what this means?...

To Be Continued 

(I've always wanted to do that)

From one twiddler to another, 

Elizabeth