Waiting can be hard. Not a news flash as we all know this to be true, and have all waited at one time or another.
Yet even in knowing this, it doesn’t get easier.
Last week I watched two of our granddaughters and we went outside to shoot some basketballs in the driveway. The pine tree has obviously enjoyed the heat and humidity of the summer as it has grown quite a bit this season.
The branches had grown enough to deflect the basketball and “prevent people from making some outstanding and amazing baskets”, I was told. Or perhaps I was the one speaking … not sure. Either way, I got our clippers out and began to trim away some branches till we had a clear shot.
At one point, while the girls were dazzling me with their skills, I looked up into the tree. There they were in all their beauty – the largest pine cones I had seen grow on this tree. They were worthy of a photo.
But I would not have seen them had I not looked up.
In looking up and noticing the height at which they hung, I realized how my own smallness and God’s greatness. But even more so, I realized how easily I can miss God.
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.”
(Psalm 19:1-2, NASB)
As I looked up at the pine cones, I became aware of God being with us, right there in our driveway.
The waiting can wear us down, causing us to think we have been left. When the wait brings disappointment, it becomes easy to think life will never go our way or bring goodness.
If we would but look up, we would find reminders of His very Presence with us. In fact, He bears the very name Emmanuel, God with us, so we do not ever forget.
In His Word we are reminded of His goodness to us:
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (James 1:17, NASB)
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
(Jeremiah 29:13, NASB)
If I had not been outside with my granddaughters, if I had not needed to cut the branches, if I would have stayed stuck inside my own thoughts, if I had not looked up – I would have missed Him.
Yes, we still need to wait.
No, the wait has not been easier.
But I know He is with us, even as we wait.
Look up.
What Do You Do When You Have No Faith Left? It’s the question Jen Avellanenda explores in her recent post. “We are simply the created, needing the strength of our Creator.” Every single day. I am finding I need Him more and more, in increasing measure. You’ll be encouraged to live out your faith fully even in the midst of struggling. You can read her post HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Today I am joining …
That was definitely a divine appointment under the pine tree. I felt as if I was standing there with you!
And it strikes me funny, now I look up each time I am in our driveway 🙂
Yes! Looking up always works for me (but I’m amazed at how often I stumble around looking at the ground). Sunrises and sunsets usually get my attention, though, or a beautiful moon.
Anita, I think we all tend to look down as we walk about. It’s probably why when we do look up, we are astounded 🙂
How wonderful that God puts evidence of His hand in unexpected places. May He give us eyes to see.
Barbara, these evidences placed in unexpected places are such precious whispers and assurances of His Presence with us.
He is always in the waiting.
Amen.
Nature is God’s silent witness. How can anyone rational believe this beauty is just by chance?
I do appreciate your admonition to look up. Looking down only focuses on ourselves. No inpiration there!
Jerralea, I so agree with you – nature is God’s silent witness which if we take notice, can speak quite loudly 🙂
Joanne, I love this story! It is so like God to leave us little handfuls of purpose for us to find not only His provision, but His Presence, especially in the waiting!
You have said it well, Donna. Purpose, provision and Presence all found in the waiting. Grateful for you!
Hello!
Thank you for another week of hosting and wish you a great day!
So happy to have you!
I think, unfortunately, that I miss God all the time. I’m either navel gazing or focusing on the problems and distractions.
Those distractions sure do have a way of shifting our gaze. Lauren, I think God is training us to be steadfast. To prevail – which is my one word for 2021. He is training me (us) to “Rejoice in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer …” (Rom. 12:!2). Thank you so much for sharing as you brought my thoughts around to see this. Blessings!
Being present to His presence. And it is always there!
Amen!
Amen! Lovely post Joanne! I love how God speaks to us through our everyday living, if we but take the time to listen.
How there are lessons to be had in just looking up in His beautiful creation.
Bless you,
Jennifer
Jennifer, I find God speaks to me in the ordinary and most mundane parts of my day. It is what makes Him exciting and precious to me!
So much to love about this post ma’am. In sharing on FB, I added a hashtag #GodHappens. I love how God reminds us He’s right here with us by sharing His great lessons with us when we’re not expecting them. Oh, I’m learning to always look for them, but when they happen when I’m in the middle of something else, they bring a special. extra helping of joy. It’s easy for God to speak to you while steeped in prayer or pouring over your Bible, two commentaries, and a Strong’s. We have to develop our spiritual senses though, as you have, so we see and hear Him in everything. God’s blessings.
J.D. – I love the hashtag. If I had thought of it, I would have used it to title the post. You are so right – it is when they happen in the middle, when least expected, that these sightings fill and excite me. As I grow older, I am realizing how God is in us, and all around us, and He longs to make Himself know to us. Blessings!
Good morning, Joanne.
This reminded me of the verse that tells us to “look up for your redemption draws nigh”. At times, I grow weary of the waiting in these dark days but I know the wait He will show Himself greater than ever expected–as always.
Love this post!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Thank you for mentioning Luke 21:28! We do grow weary in these days we are in which is why we all need to encourage one another.May we remain faithful knowing He is right there with us and leaves reminders of Himself all around. Grateful you shared!
How fun for your granddaughters to be able to shoot baskets with their grandma, Joanne. Looking up reminds us of God’s presence. That is true on so many levels and in so many situations. Waiting isn’t a favorite of mine, but you’re right … if we look up we can see God’s goodness even in that.
I truly am blessed to have fun times with all three of our girls. Each so different, yet they all make me laugh. The amazing part is how they truly don’t care if I do something well or not, they just want to be together. In the years of watching grands, God has used the time to draw me closer to Him in the most special of ways. May we keep looking for Him, Lois, for He is with us, in us, and all around us.