pregnant with expectation

I feel like I'm pregnant.

I'm not (!) physically, but spiritually, I am.

I am heavy with waiting to birth whatever God is going to birth in me, in us, in this season of Dave-going-back-to-school-and-neither-of-us-is-working-in-the-traditional-sense-of-working-for-a-paycheck.

There is a time in pregnancy when the due date approaches, when the back aches and the waddle exaggerates and just turning over in bed is a special op maneuver and you know your baby can survive outside the womb that cradles... It's at this point you say "Now Lord. I'm ready for this baby to be birthed today. Please, let it be NOW!"

But He says, "Not yet."

So with every passing minute, you wonder if it is the minute for labor to begin. But the minutes keeps ticking into hours, into days, into weeks? Thankfully, those final stretch minutes don't tick into months and the longest I've heard any women going past their due date is three weeks.  A very looong, feels-like-another-trimester three weeks.

This is where I am right now.

Except I don't have the assurance of an end date in sight. Scripture is hardly comforting in this matter if you're looking for God to answer quickly. After all, Abraham & Sarah, Isaac & Rebekah, Jacob, Rachel, Joseph, Hannah, Elizabeth and countless others were waiting years, decades, to hear God's "Now!" And will I be able to wait that long?

Enter: Faith.

It carries us beyond our ability to see, to hear, to bear. Through faith, we ride the current of God's faithfulness to see us through the gestation period. And when I don't think I can bear it one. minute. longer., He reminds me how the ones who waited and trusted in Him were blessed beyond all they could ask or image...

Abraham & Sarah...received a son in the line of Christ
Isaac & Rebekah...blessed with a twins - a double portion
Jacob...returned home with a family, wealth, a new name and to a brother who no longer wanted to kill him
Rachel...birthed a baby who would save his family from starvation
Joseph...elevated to second in command in all of Egypt
Hannah...birthed the prophet who would anoint David king over Israel
Elizabeth... birthed the prophet would would prepare the way for, and baptize, Jesus


Is there something you too wait for in expectation? Or do you have a story to share of a time you waited on God and are now reaping the blessings of waiting in faith? Please share that we may pray and be encouraged.

transformation

Friday: Reese dressed as Willy Wonka for "Dress as Your Favorite Character" Day at school. At first he wanted to be a character from "Around the World in 80 Days" but couldn't remember the characters name. He was easily transformed with the additional of a paper hat and spiffy vest with matching pants and a collared shirt.

Sunday: Luke wanted to build a city and invited me to join him. Math tools, Lego (of course!) and our dining table transformed to a mini urban center.

Later that night, Dave suggested we measure Brie's hair to see if it was long enough to donate. It was! And with *several* snips she changed from our wee 9-year-old into a most definitely soon to be 10-year-old.

Monday: I cooked up additional play dough colors for Ben. He smooshed and smashed them into a cake creation and generously offered me half of the final product. I'm not sure if he would do the same if it were a real cake. But then, neither would I be able to manage to eat it all anyway.

And God spoke "tranformation" to me though them. I've been praying for God to change those inner places desperate for His Light and saving work.

But when push comes to shove, my flesh prefers the changes to happen as easily as donning a hat or bringing together many pieces to form something new. I remind God He can do anything so why not perfect me in Christ right this very. minute. Poof! A new me.

The reality is these transformation occur slowly and often involve a LOT of cutting away and smooshing and smashing - the kind that mixes up all the colors so you can't separate them no matter how hard you try.

It's the mixology of God.  

And we cannot be separated from His love. And we are made alive in Christ. And we who were separated are now brought near by His blood.

And that is good news.

celebrating the plunge

Yesterday, I shared this picture.

To celebrate.

The occasion?

Our last day on of depending us (i.e. Dave's last day on a payroll). For two months we chugged up the hill, knowing this day was looming. Yesterday we reached the top.

Today, we plunge down, falling on God's grace. It's a free fall that I know begins and ends cupped in God's hands. I'm not screaming nor is my heart is not in my throat (yet ;) and maybe this hill we've plunged over will be a short one. Regardless, the ride is bound to be one of twists and turns.

And the only way I can explain this absence of panic, this crazy peace, are the Words of the Father which quell the worries that try to niggle their way into my thoughts. The words whispered are trust and wait and do. not. fear.

Today we celebrate the plunge.

Celebrate with us?