God's Timing

Our limited thinking causes us to balk at waiting for anything--even waiting on God--who knows the beginning from the ending--to work things out in the best possible way.  We perceive things in a temporal, let me see the results NOW, way.  Our fast moving culture has gotten us used to getting what we want, when we want it, in our scheduled time frame.

Whether it's the food we've ordered at our favorite restaurant, or the new phone that we want one day delivery on, or the solving of a crisis in our life.  We want the solution to be not only observable immediately--but perfect and done our way.  And trust me, usually our way and perfect are not simpatico.  

While we may quote or sing the words of Isaiah:  "They that WAIT upon the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles...they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint..."  We really don't mean the ending of the chorus taken from that verse:  "Teach me Lord to Wait."  Because we don't like to wait!

I'm waiting right now for the release of the book I've written:  "Generations". As I look back at the beginning of this journey or process...the almost two years it has taken since the publisher,  Crossriver   Media accepted it as worthy of publishing...hasn't been that long.

I actually began writing it more than 16 years ago.  Since then I've written two other books and started yet another.  I never really anticipated having any of them published.  "Generations" was written for my children and grandchildren.  I made copies for them.  Some 16 years later, somehow a paper copy got into the hands of someone that I do not know, who spoke to another author--who then gave it to Crossriver for review.  They agreed to publish it and that process began--and now I'm waiting--not always patiently--to have the finished book in my hands.

What really got my attention the other day regarding God's plan and His time frame for "Generations" was when I was reading through some old papers my dad had written about the time of my grandfather's death.  In those papers he told how my grandfather just before his death said:  "Maybe the Lord will raise me up..."  And then he quoted Psalm 71:18  "Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come." 

What amazed me was this:  I have been claiming that Scripture for myself for several years--as I've gotten older.  Then I felt strongly that the publishing of my book, "Generations"--which is a testimony of God's marvelous redeeming power through deliverance from addiction and abusive behavior in my grandfather's life, was part of the answer to my prayer of this verse.

But when I read how my grandfather claimed the same Scripture which is coming to fruition by my telling his testimony--I realized God was working a plan all along--and I'm just privileged to be a part of it.  Grandpa died in 1960; 53 years ago.  God hasn't been nervous about getting his testimony out to future generations.  He had a plan all along.  Now I'm "Nellie Nervous" about having the book in my hands. 
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It's been 100 years this year since my grandfather's deliverance, healing and salvation experience.  God's still in the healing, redeeming, and delivering business.  He's working in my life, in your life as we allow Him to--and He'll do things on His time schedule--which is always the best.

So, today--teach me Lord, to wait.  Because I know your calendar is organized for the best results!