Sometimes we wait a long time before we see the reason for God’s timing, but hardly a day has gone by since I learned the date of my surgery (May 9) that I haven’t thanked God for His timing!
As I said last week, our daughter, Jennifer, told me immediately after I shared the date of surgery with the family that our granddaughter, Madison, will graduate on May 7! I’ve been thanking God ever since that, because of His timing, I won’t have to miss that happy occasion.
Then a day or two later, I realized I also won’t have to miss Fresh Ground’s first Spring Market on May 6. I’d accepted the invitation to be a vender with my books for that event with the caveat “if my health permits.” I’m so thrilled that I can be part of the “first!”
On Monday we learned that Sarah, our youngest granddaughter, will have her spring play on May 4—another event I wouldn’t have wanted to miss!
In addition to those events, God’s timing allows us to spend time with Sarah on her sixth birthday, April 13, as well as attend her birthday party on April 15th.
God’s timing also enabled me to reach my goal of finishing my last book, Homespun Faith, The Rest of the Story, Volume One, as well as publishing it with Donn’s help before surgery. We will even manage to squeeze in a Book Launch on April 14th at Fresh Grounds.
It reminds me of our daughter’s friend who said, “HE is never early. HE is never late. Help is on the way. Praying for God’s perfect timing for your mom’s surgery.”
I’m very glad that by God’s grace and constant reminders, I’ve spent most of the last three and a half months trusting God and enjoying my life, instead of worrying and fretting about things I can’t control. Proverbs 15:15 AMPC says, All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].
If we choose to spend our days of waiting focused on anxious thoughts and forebodings, our family and friends will soon notice that we are despondent and afflicted. Not only our days, but theirs as well will be made evil, miserable! If instead we choose to have a glad heart, not only we but also our family and friends can have a continual feast (enjoy our lives) regardless of the circumstances.
And as I’m fond of saying… We always have a choice.
Father, Show us how to have glad hearts, regardless of the circumstances, so that our anxious thoughts and forebodings won’t make life miserable for us and for those around us. Amen.
While we are waiting, God is working. He sees the entire picture and is active behind the scenes, arranging everything according to His will. But perhaps His most important work is the deepening of our relationship with Him as we learn to love and trust Him in the wait. (Charles Stanley)