Something worth waiting for...

There are two reasons that I haven't posted in the last week. One reason is because the kids have been working on a "Christmas present" for Scott and I and have banned us from looking at any pictures for the time being. The thought of just writing with no pictures seemed a bit lacking so I have just been patiently awaiting some new pictures to share.


The second reason that I have not posted is a bit more complex. New pictures aren't the only things that we have been waiting for. Last week was up and down, long and drawn out as we awaited word of any news regarding our new home that we are in the process of buying. We have had our closing extended four times in the last month and each time has left us wondering what the final outcome would be. Both Scott and I have been praying for God's confirmation on this home, hoping God will close the door if this is not the right home for our family. With Christmas quickly approaching, we have sat on the sidelines waiting for our big move before pulling out the Christmas decorations and finding our Christmas tree. Very few presents have been bought as we need to keep as much money in the account as possible to go towards closing costs. I am not sharing this to feel sorry for me, actually I have discovered some important lessons in this season of waiting.

At first, all my heart could see was what I didn't have or what I was waiting for. With each passing day, I knew that we were marching forward to a hurried, rushed holiday season when everything finally worked out and we could move forward with our normal Christmas traditions, remembering our Savior's birth. Over the weekend, I began to see things I would have never seen if things were working out exactly within my time frame. I have been waiting for "Christmas " to start once I am settled and instead discovered that celebrating the birth of Christ didn't need my permission to start.

Each year, Scott and I have tried to find new ways to worship Jesus during this busy season but this season is different...God showed us another way to worship! With my mind clear from the normal Christmas distractions, I have found Christ in the simple things like singing Christmas carols on a Sunday morning, enjoying all the Christmas decorations in the store with absolutely no agenda to buy anything, taking the time to hear people's story of pain, loss or joy during this season, driving around looking at Christmas lights as a family, and truly taking the time to enjoy things as a family because your days aren't filled with even very good traditions, keeping the hustle and bustle of this busy season away. I have learned that I don't need lights or a tree to put me in the Christmas "mood."

I really wanted my next post to about how everything finally worked out! Instead, I am writing in the waiting. Looking back, much of my life has been about waiting...waiting to find my husband, waiting for the birth of a child, waiting for news on a job, waiting to see what happens to that special friendship that I had,waiting for answered prayers, waiting for life's circumstances to work out, waiting to hear news on life or death matters. I have discovered that life is really all about waiting...the circumstances change but waiting remains the same. In this season while I await news on a home, a friend awaited news of being cancer free. In an instant, my waiting seemed easy compared to waiting to hear that the Lord is not done with you yet hear on earth.

And that reminds me of the waiting that the saints before us endured as they awaited the prophecy to be fulfilled and the birth of a Savior that would forever change the world. I think about Jesus' mother Mary as she awaited news as to if her husband Joseph would believe her of her virgin conception or divorce her, the waiting that she endured as she traveled "great" with child and then waiting for God to provide a place for her child to be born as the labor contractions persisted regardless of if there was no room in the Inn. Then the life that he would live, awaiting his impending death. And the three long days mankind endured as we awaited our lives to be forever changed by our Savior's resurrection. And now, we await His return and a life spent in Heaven with Him.

Is the waiting worth it? Reality is, we may spend a lifetime waiting, waiting for a home, a new job or even news about our health but all the waiting ended on that CHRISTmas day, many years ago. A baby had been born that would forever end our need for a Savior. On Sunday, Scott preached about the prophecies that Jesus' birth fulfilled. Amazing when you study just this! But it doesn't end there! No matter what we're waiting for, our hearts can settle knowing that the prince of peace already brought peace to our waiting hearts! Yes, we await His return but we no longer have to wait for the end play, who will win the war. We stand in victory even as we wait.

So, although, I write still waiting for news of our home to close, all that matters has already been settled. My debt has been paid and my Savior is busy preparing a forever "home" for me and for you! Now that's something worth waiting for!