Why The Waiting?

Waiting takes many forms, and it's always a part of life, but why? I’ve asked God, what's the value in waiting?

Aren’t many of us resistant to waiting? I certainly am a “let it happen now” kind of person.

 

I wait for warm weather all winter. Now that it’s here, I’m glad, but a little sad too, because I know how quickly it will be gone.

 

When I must wait in a line because I have no choice, I have a plan. I use the time for balance exercises or pray for people in line around me for whatever needs they might have, but I still don’t like it.

I so admire Jesus. He waited thirty years to begin His journey, then patiently crisscrossed the land of Israel for three years toward His death and our salvation.

I’ve certainly had to wait often. Like nine months at a time, awaiting a baby four times.  Maybe that wait was preparation for the patience I’d need as a mother nurturing children. 

Looking back, I felt so peaceful during those waits. Waiting doesn’t have to be stressful, a good reminder.

Perhaps the value of waiting is understood best in retrospect, rather than in the moment.

 

A benefit that comes with waiting is time for growing faith to realize God has plans for ultimate good, whatever the situation. Because we know this and trust Him can we be content during the wait.

 

Only God knows what happens to a soul in waiting. It must be good because He allows so much of it.

 

What do you need to wait for right now in your life? For cancer treatment to work? For a child to experience the faith you so want to pass on? Are you still waiting for the love of your life? For the completion of a project you’ve held dear for years? May God give you patience and His peace.

In a sense, all of life is a waiting period - waiting for heaven’s gate to open. I am in my 80’s - I need to wait less than most. Just like summer flits by, so do the days of life, which is why we strive to live them well.

Blessings on your summer, my friends. Savor every day!

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 130:5 “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope.”

WRITING UPDATE:

Thanks to you readers A Widow’s Love Story and my two recent mystery novels Shot in the Night and Mystery At Wycham Manor are selling well at Daniel's Sentry and Angelus Gift & Home in Walworth.

Reached a milestone this week for my YouTube channel - Fantastic Family Life (JudithRolfs) with 1400 subscribers and now 50,000 views for one video 10 Ways For Respecting Your Spouse. I pray each viewer’s marriage is enriched by these tips. This growth is largely because of your word-of-mouth sharing - I’m hugely grateful. 

My writing continues on Book 4 in the Tommy Smurlee mystery fantasy series. I'm praying for an agent connection to make them into wholesome family movies. 

Happy Mother's Day!

  

Mother’s Day makes me think of Love - Moms’ love and God’s Love. 

One of my favorite Scripture verses, Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), mentions God’s love: “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior Who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He … will rejoice over you with singing.” 

I treasure knowing that God delights in me and rejoices over me! This was the kind of love I felt for 60 years from my husband who is now in heaven. What do people passionately desire if not to be loved unconditionally and wildly?

Can you imagine the difference it makes walking through life knowing that the eternal God, Creator of heaven and earth, thinks you’re cool. Many, but not all of us, had moms and dads making us feel like this. Unfortunately,  not all could. My heart goes out to children and adults who walk through difficult challenges of life without knowing how deeply treasured they are now by God.

I used to remind my counseling clients that if a parent disappoints you, God never will. If a friend or spouse abandons you, you need not jump into the pit of despair, nor give up your joy. You have a layer of love over you so deep that no human hurt has the power to stifle your love core unless you allow it. What’s not to like about knowing you’re loved like this? 

Your Father God delights in you and, gulp, me. He’s an incredible lover. God’s kind of love is what I want to pass on to my children, grandchildren and greats. 

May we all be great lovers!

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

WRITING UPDATE

Thanks for warmly receiving my recent mystery novels Shot in the Night and Mystery at Wycham Manor. I enjoyed several May book events meeting readers, old and new. 

I’m currently writing Tommy Smurlee, Book 4 in my mystery fantasy series for kids 8 and up. It takes places at a castle camp in England's Lakes area. Any suggestions for the title appreciated! Previous titles of the first 3 books are: Tommy Smurlee and Dunster’s Camp of Mystery and Inventions, Book 1, Tommy Smurlee and the Missing Statue, Book 2, Mystery of the Silver Shells, subtitled a Tommy Smurlee and Grella Weller Adventure Book 3. 

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The picture above is one of my garden statue: A mother and her son holding a book as she reads to him. For our 40^th anniversary, my husband Wayne insisted this statue belonged here to celebrate my four children, seven grandchildren and my books about Tommy Smurlee and Grella Weller. Still missing my man by the way – sadly doubt that will ever stop. Thank God for His love!

 

Gloorious Spring - Happy Easter

At long last spring has arrived! A reason to celebrate for sure. I love to sit still outdoors, and absorb the music of nature. I like to imagine the incredible energy being released in the woods and waters of Lake Geneva. Blooms about to burst, trees soaking up moisture, eager to display a beautiful new season of greenery. 

 

Hear the whisper of God all around you.

 

As we prepare to honor Jesus this Easter, war goes on. We are not unmindful of the sacrifices made for us to live free. With deepest concern we pray for all wars to stop.

 

Yet Jesus forever broke the bondage of death with His astounding Resurrection! We keep the vision of resurrection deeply embedded in our minds, so we don’t have to fear. Easter reminds us, the sad parts of life will end. Jesus wins and so do we.

 

And Jesus wants us to rejoice even as we pray and lament. We can do both at the same time with the incredible brains He has gifted to us.

 

We are on earth to glorify God with our every breath and moment of life. Period.

 

We are models for our children and grandchildren when we stay calm and cheerful (I call this my CC Plan )with our beliefs, our confidence in God and trust in the unfolding of His good plans for us. The atmosphere within our families can stay peaceful when life is lived day by day with Jesus.

 

WRITING UPDATE:

 

How about a fun, exciting mystery with lots of twists and turns? Hot off the press! Shot in the Night - a revised version of an earlier book with new characters and content.I want my readers to be entertained and equipped for life’s challenges as they witness my psychotherapist heroine solve problems with love and skill.

 Now available at Angelus Gifts in Walworth and on amazon or contact me for an autographed copy. 

 

Nothing like daily devos to enrich your personal relationship with Jesus. I suggest Jesus Time or God’s Near also available locally and on amazon.

 

How about enjoying a fun book with your entire family? I suggest reading a Tommy Smurlee mystery fantasy book to your children or grandchildren at dinner, one chapter a night. Book Four in the Series is coming soon.

 

Here’s to a glorious spring! 

Celebrating the wonder and wisdom of Easter with you.

 

Vs. 11,12 Message Bible “Light-seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, joy-seeds are planted in good heart soil. So God’s people, shout praises to God, give things to our Holy God!