I have asked my friend and ministry partner, the fabulous Bible teacher Wendy Pope to guest post today on the topic of her new book Wait and See: Finding Peace in God’s Pauses and Plans. Her keen insight into trusting God in the wait will encourage you so much! Be sure to read all the way down to the giveaway!
Tweet ThisWendy writes:
A teacher. A wife. A mother. My little-girl heart dreamed of being all of these one day.
With chalk in hand and glasses resting on my nose, I practiced being a teacher with my stuffed animals. Carol Brady of The Brady Bunch taught me all I needed to know about being a wife. Caring for my dolls, as well as my years of babysitting, prepared me for motherhood. When I graduated from high school, I was ready to put my plans in motion.
Becoming a teacher requires four years of college. Graduated. Got a job. Dream came true.
Becoming a wife requires a fella. Found and dated him for two years. Got a husband. Dream came true.
Becoming a mother requires … well, you know what it requires. No details are necessary. After two years of trying, no baby. Dream didn’t come true.
My first two dreams came to pass just as I had planned. However, after the two years of failing conceive, I wondered if I would ever sing the childhood rhyme, “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Wendy with a baby carriage.” Dream number three required me to wait and see.
You need to know something about me: I have never been a wait-and-see kind of girl. Deep down, I am a hurry-up, right-now, please-and-thank-you kind of gal. The word patient does not describe me—ask anyone who knows and loves me. So you can imagine how well I handled waiting to see my dream of motherhood come true. Waiting dominated my thoughts as it does for most of us when we’re waiting for the fulfillment of our hopes and dreams.
And you? Do you feel the tug of waiting for something but are scared to let yourself dream it will happen? Maybe you are waiting on a miracle. We have all been there—sometimes more often than we prefer. And the miracle requires something of us—waiting.
The desire to be a mother consumed me and my thoughts. Why can’t I get pregnant? What is wrong with me? What have I done to warrant such punishment from God? It seemed my girlfriends were getting pregnant with ease. That just didn’t seem fair, so I determined that God wasn’t fair.
I began to decline invitations to the multitude of blue-and-pink parties. My husband and I purposely socialized with friends who were not expecting or didn’t have children. However, avoiding pregnant friends did not ease my pain or subdue my longing.
What have I done to warrant such punishment from God?
Trying harder didn’t help either. For two years, I ingested fertility pills, endured monthly injections, scheduled intimacy, and charted my basal body thermometer readings every morning at six o’clock. There wasn’t a specialist or a test that could explain why I was unable to conceive.
Medically, I was doing everything right; spiritually, I was not. The wait exhausted my faith.
I resolved that God was mad at me, so I resolved to be mad at Him in return. Maybe you can relate? You still go to church on Sunday but have nothing to do with God on the other days ending in y. We have our plans and want our way. When things don’t happen accordingly, we retaliate by ignoring God. I felt this way for over two years as the object of my wait became greater than the Person of my faith.
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See God’s Goodness in the Pauses of Life
When waiting on God stretches for months or years, we begin to doubt God’s promises. Did I hear You correctly, God? Do You see what I’m going through? Why does this have to be so hard?
In Wait and See, Wendy draws on the life of King David to help us…
- Focus on the Person of our faith rather than the object of our wait
- Use biblical truths to defeat depression, doubt, and discouragement
- Release the hold the past has on us
- Prepare for the future by participating in God’s work in the present
- See the benefit of inviting others into the wait
- View God’s pauses as opportunities to know Him better
- Gain confidence in God’s plans, even during uncertain times
If you would like a chance to win a Wait and See gift pack, which includes a copy of the book, a whimsical beaded bookmark with a butterfly charm, and a hand stamped Don’t Rush the Wait aluminum cuff bangle, simply leave a comment on this post telling us an area where you currently find it hard to wait on God.
{Winner will be randomly chosen and announced Monday the 17th.}
Wendy is the wife of Scott, mother of Blaire and Griffin, author, speaker, and Bible study teacher. She loves lazy Sundays watching golf with her husband, thrift-store shopping with her daughter, and watching building shows with her son.
Wendy is the author of Wait and See. She is a contributing author to the Real-Life Women’s Devotional Bible, Encouragement for Today: Devotions for Daily Living, The Reason We Speak, and God’s Purpose for Every Woman. Wendy writes devotions for Proverbs 31 Ministries’“Encouragement for Today” and is a content provider for the free online devotion app First 5 as well as a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker team.
She leads women all over the world to life change through her in-depth online Bible studies. She has led thousands of women through her Read through the Word study of the One Chronological Bible. Down-to-earth and transparent, Wendy teaches in a way that women feel she is speaking directly to their hearts.
I struggle to wait in this season of uncertainty. I fail to wait for God’s timing and provision.
Waiting on God in my oldest daughters health and we may not know for a few years as we watch her grow and visit her specialist.
First of all I love the message of this book! I fail to wait for God’s perfect timing so often because I want my imperfect timing of now. Whether it be the job interviews I’ve had and had no positive outcome or the dreaming of a second pregnancy because I wanted a big family— I fail to be patient and hand it to God. I pray that letting go and letting God will come more easily to me in this season of my life.
Waiting for and really trusting God to show me where He wants to use me in ministry to women
I am currently ‘waiting’ … patiently I might add … for a clear indication of where God wants to use me in ministry. I have been praying for months and slowly he answers questions, one by one – but I still don’t know my ‘place’. I continue to seek Him and pray constantly about how he will ultimately use me to reach others for Him.
Thanks so much for this opportunity :)
I have been believing for what seems like forever for a husband. I have never been married, am in my 40’s, and some days of waiting are easier than others.
But I know my faithful and more than able.
Thanks for the opportunity.
I am waiting for God to help me find a true friend. I am lonely and have been praying for years for God to have my path intersect with someone I can connect with.
After enduring so many periods of waiting throughout my life, you would think I would have learned to wait well by now. Sure I have learned and grown through several different trying circumstances but I am struggling with why I am yet again in a season of waiting. The story of Wendy having to wait to become a mother hits home for me in this season.
Waiting on God for the restoration of my sons. I have to keep stopping my thoughts and praying through…handing them back to God.
I was in a horrible auto accident in April 2016. Fortunately I made it through even though the doctors didn’t believe that I would make it. I realize, plus so many people have told me, God spared me for a reason. He’s not finished with me yet. You can’t imagine how impatient I am in waiting for God to show me why He saved me in the accident. I’m ready to know NOW what he has planned for me. This next Bible study can’t come fast enough!!
My struggle is also related to conceiving. I so need this read.
I’ve been (im)patiently waitkng for a life partner, a husband, a head of household. I married my exhusband for myself and it wasn’t a Godly relationship (we divorced and he has since passed away), but that was 10 years ago and I’ve been praying and waiting since. I haven’t even felt the Lord to lead me to even date. I see all these people who are always in relationships or who are getting married and I feel so alone. It’s been and is a constant struggle.
I have been experiencing a period of waiting on healing my relationship with my mother. We had a big blowup this past May and all summer I was asking God “why” and praying for wisdom and understanding. Finally at the end of the summer a confrontation pushed us into counseling and I understood that the purpose of the blowup was to get us there. But now I am still waiting to see how our healing will unfold and what sort of relationship we will have in the end. And I am waiting on God to show me how this experience will be purposeful in my future.
Waiting for answers. For God to act-to come through with just the right verse or piece of advice that kisses your cheek with peace. Then you’ll feel like you are ready to take another step toward the curtain as He lifts it…ever so slowly…
I’m waiting on “What’s next.” And I am waiting to see where “I Am” sends.?
Praying and waiting for our children to return to our Savior????
I can’t wait to read this book. I am currently waiting for God to direct me in my career. I’m so restless and anxious. Not sure if He wants me to stay in my current unfulfilling job that leaves me plenty of time to fulfill other callings or to pursue my desire which would consume a lot more time but be more rewarding.
I am currently waiting for my son to find his place in ministry. I thought that once he was grown, I wouldn’t have to wait or worry about him any more, but now it just seems like the stakes are higher.
I recently quit my job because I was so upset and depressed from it. Now I’m trying to figure out what my next job will be and what God’s calling me to do.
I have been in a long season of waiting and praying for God to restore many family relationships. I admit that it has been a struggle not to become weary and lose hope. I’m grateful for the opportunity to possibly receive a gift of encouragement such as this.
I struggle with the “why me” because of the past few years struggling with my health. I’m having difficulty with wait of why this path, and what’s in store. This will be a perfect read.
I struggle with waiting in many ways in my life. Instant gratification, want it now, seems to be the norm when working with the public. God’s time is not measured as ours is, and many days I have a tough time remembering that.
When you live a frantic lifestyle, waiting does not come easy. I am the mother of two football players, wife of a coach, and a teacher and coach myslef. All in this Fall season! Oiy vey!
I am impatiently waiting for relief from financial pressures and my son to give up alcohol and come to the Lord. I am run headlong into the problem without waiting on God kind of person. I long to be a better waiter.
I’m in a season of waiting that has lasted years. May I praise God and trust Him during this season of my
life!
Waiting is not easy. Isaiah 40:31 just came to me. ” But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Waiting for one of my kids to come to know the Lord as personal Savior
I am waiting for my daughter to turn her heart and mind back to God. It is very hard and there are times when I feel like giving up on her; but I know God has her in His hands.
Waiting on dreams to become a reality. I wonder why God puts dreams in our hearts when even though it’s not the right time for us to nurture them. I wonder why He doesn’t give them to us when the time is right for us to pursue them. Just some thoughts…
Waiting for improvement on the marriage front. Trying to still believe that it will get better.
I have been struggling waiting to find my career path and make a good choice for my family.
It is very challenging when you hear God clearly and you are ready to charge, then nothing happens. I start to question if I really heard him right.
The life of a butterfly so aptly describes waiting! I love your cover! My current wait is waiting on some health issues, and waiting for clarity with our church -do we stay, do we leave. There are lots of uncertainties and fuzziness
Waiting for my daughter to want a relationship again. She has cut us out of her life for no apparent reason. Waiting for marriage to be a marriage, not just two people living together. Waiting for children to pursue God and follow Jesus.
I have struggled to wait well these past 3 years. I can’t wait to read Wendy’s book.
Just purchased a new house, and I’m waiting to find one, true, new friend in the area….sometimes it is just SO lonely….
The waiting game is one I’ve been playing for some time. I have a wonderful husband, Some great grandchild and a lovely home. My two sons are located four hours away and I see them as much as I can. I desire to have a vacation home in their locality in order to spend more time with them, yet give them the privacy they deserve. I have been searching for the “right” cottage to buy, but my husband is not supportive of this venture. The Lord has planted the desire, but I am hard-pressed to get my husband on board. I am in a waiting mode until I can have his cooperation. It’s not a matter of money as I have an inheritance that would cover the expense. Pray I would be sensitive to his need as well as be ready to surrender this desire to the Lord if He desires me to keep my husband “happy.”
Would love to read this book….1 1/2 years ago my husband…the love of my life….up and left without a word….no warning signs…. Shocked and broken,I lost my faith……how could this possibly be HIS plan????
In time….he started showing me the why….
I’m waiting…trying to be patient…waiting….
I feel like God has asked me to write. The problem is, it is a slow start. I keep hoping things will happen so I can really claim this blessing, but know deep down my heart isn’t ready yet.
I am waiting for my adult children to come to faith in Jesus – it looks impossible, but I know that God is able.
I am praying and waiting for God to open a door for my husband to find a new job. He’s been laid off 6 months and it’s taking a toll on us and our children.
trying to lessen the financial debt and it takes so much longer than I’d like to wait. Seems like I am always waiting, but not so patiently.
I have walked through the Word with Wendy 2 different yearsand did her Study on the Psalms. I grew spiritually and loved her heart for God. So I know I could benefit from her book. Right today my biggest challenge is waiting on God’s guidance and wisdom dealing with aging parents and their health.
Currently waiting for this chapter of my of my life to end as I leave an abusive marriage. Waiting for the next step that God has got me…
I appreciated this devotional. I have such a hard time when waiting, and wondering why, why, why. What did I do that was wrong? Why is God punishing me? It is so hard to trust and be obedient to God’s timing.
I am waiting for a miracle and I know this book will encourage me to grow in faith while I wait.
I would love to read the book.
My struggle to be patient is pretty much in the same area as you described in your post. I’ve been consciously waiting for the right time, as in ordained by God, for about 7 years now. I always thought that I was not really in a rush to have kids, but when I feel ready, it will coincide with God’s timing too. The first couple of years of the ‘waiting period” were not as big of a deal, but the last few are turning harder and harder, and I do not know when (and if at all) the time will ever come.
Especially this year I found myself particularly sensitive about the desire of having kids. And, yes, the same as in your case, it becomes harder when everyone around you starts having kids, or goes to have #2, #3, etc. What caught even me by surprise a couple of months ago is that our church was looking for volunteers to help with the baby/child care ministry. but I couldn’t bring myself to do it because I was afraid that it may spark an even stronger ”baby fever” in me. This is surely not where I ever thought I would be in my life.. I felt guilty but at the same time thought that I needed to limit a bit exposure to kids while I am still in such uncertain period or maybe until the day this level of vulnerability passes and I would be able to help out more sincerely.
Wait and See! Wow! This book and OBS came to me in God’s perfect timing! I am waiting for several things right now, and the awesome thing here is, I have recently heard God say this exact thing to me! So many things of priority right now, and I feel a little bit overwhelmed with choices that need to be made. If I list them all, I might be here all day, but some of the things I am waiting on in this season are: my husband’s retirement from his place of employment for 29 years, my mom’s future, will she be able to remain independent, 3 out of 5 grown children who do not know the Lord and desperately need Him, and my current health situation. God has assured me that He has it all under control, and all I need to do is wait and trust Him!
I was laid off from my job two years ago and I have still not been able to find a job in my field. I have had to take a much lower paying job in order to have income coming in, so I wait on Gods provision. I am also waiting for my husband who is serving time in prison.
At 55 years old I am engaged. I didn’t wait graciously all these years for this blessing to happen. Now I need to wait ad see how two middle aged people can become one in marriage.
I have been suffering with vestibular issues for over a year now. At one point I was bedridden for months. I walk around feeling dizzy and odd balance everyday and now I am experiencing migraines. This period of my life, waiting for healing has definitely been the hardest!
I have always issues with being patient. And my biggest wait right now is my husband and i want to move out to the country to be closer to our church and church family. But there isnt land available in our price range. I know that God will guide us to the perfect home and land as soon as hes ready, but i am ready now and its so hard to wait. I cant participate in everything at the church because its about a 45 minute drive right now. So i am trying to be patient, but its hard to do so.
God has had me in a season of waiting. I have been divorced for 14 years and only in the last couple have dealt with the issues that came from it..in doing so I realized I wanted a God-centerd marriage and am waiting for the promise He made me to b fulfilled. Its so hard to wait..but am learning to trust God more and open up to Him more.
And isn’t it a blessing when God shows us our past mistakes, as hard as it is to feel and think about, He shows us what was wrong, how He brought us out of that situation even through divorce only to teach what not to do the next time. I am having to deal with this same issue. God bless you and I pray for you.
Waiting 7 1/2 years for marriage restoration and for my husband to return home. I have learned by God’s grace to wait for Him to do his work in our souls instead of me fixing everything. That was a tough one to let go of. I asked God to bring him home only when he is the husband he is intended to be and I am the wife I am intended to be. Through 7 yrs there has been family death, accidents, he got cancer and God healed him, other lifelong illnesses and you would think that would be enough for a person to turn their eyes and heart to Jesus in surrender. No. So I wait. Hit once again with a new kind of waiting. Waiting on a job. Was laid off after 19 yrs of service and God has told me He wants me to wait while he brings the perfect job and the perfect time. That is hard when I am separated and paying all the bills myself. But I thank God each day he provides. he has blessed me so many times and showed me I will never go hungry and never go without a home to live in.
Wow, where for do I begin……this is where I would say I’ve been waiting for that big career I wanted, had and let slip from me but I won’t because it would be the relationships with my family. I was sexually abused and neglected as a child and thought that I was abandoned by God, even now I wonder but I know that he had me in that situation for a reason….I’m working on now
I am struggling as we wait for my husbands job situation to be resolved. He got hurt on the job and has been home since March. Working on growing my own business from home. But the unknown gets a bit overwhelming. I declare scripture, pray and surrender and I am desperate to learn what we have to learn and be done with this. Then I remember His timing is perfect, His ways are higher than mine and His thoughts are higher than mine to. I thank Him because my husband could have hurt himself worst and God is healing him.
My future. I’m at a point where I am unfulfilled and I know he has more out there for me but I’m getting impatient waiting for a sign to send me in the right direction.
Waiting for direction for my next season. Trying to be still and not get ahead of the Lord.
I’m new at Christian blogging and am having a hard time waiting on my audience to grow. I want to be at Lysa Terkeurst levels, NOW! But I know true Christian community is something that has to grow organically and slowly — and I’m trying my best to be happy with my small readership as I learn how to do this thing. :)
So much happening….hard to just wait and see…waiting for a change in a situation in my life right now…seems endless but praying for a solution.
I have been going through a divorce for the past 3 years! Everything is not totally settled and I want to get away from this depression that I’m feeling over everything that’s happened. My self esteem was damaged terribly and I have been asking God to help me move forward into the present for the sake of my 10 year old son and myself. Nothing is changing. I’m anxious to read your book and apply to my walk with God which has become weakened.
After teaching in a Christian school for over twenty years, God closed the door. I am waiting for direction. While it seems like an opportunity for change and growth, it is also challenging. For now, I am just waiting…The book sounds encouraging.
(sigh) The hard part for me…watching my kids, 24 and 19, try to figure out life – without God. They were raised in church, but they are trying “life” without fully relying on God. I am waiting for their “AHA” moment – when they realize that faith and God are important.
I am waiting for prayers for others to be answered….especially for my friend to find a husband.
I can’t wait to read this book! As a widow for almost two years, I long to have a companion again, but miss my husband still of course. I feel like I’m just waiting to see what happens next in that area, rather than fully taking in the learning and healing that God has for me in this current moment and stage.
I’m a single Mom of a fifteen year old daughter, for years I’ve waited for God to put someone in my life to share the good bad and indifferent with. I’ve realized that I have that someone already, besides my daughter, I have God. I’m so very content today, that I don’t waste “thoughts” on “when”. I know that when I’m supposed to meet the right person, I will. Love this site, thank you