God's Waiting Room

Waiting is such a hard thing to do. It's even harder if you aren't very patient. When Steven and I lived in Pensacola, FL, I began working a temorary job. Since the job was not permanent, I was waiting on one that was. I vented my frustrations one night to a very special friend at church about how I was tired of waiting around for a job and tired of waiting to be called in for an interview somewhere. Mrs. Anna, who is definitely wise beyond her years, told me that although I was waiting, I was waiting in the best possible place...God's waiting room. I stopped to think for just a second about what she actually meant. If I was in God's waiting room, then that had to mean God was going to take care of me. He was going to see to it that something worked out where I would not have to be so impatient for much longer.

It's been two years since that conversation and I still think about it a lot, especially since I am in God's waiting room once again. I feel so frustrated waiting for a job. Since our move to Cleveland, TN, I have been searching and applying for jobs for the past four months. I know God has a plan for me. But why is it so hard to be patient and wait on God's timing? I think the reason for this might be because we live in an instant society. People are so used to getting what they want when they want it. The thing that most people don't realize though is that everything happens in God's timing, not their own. This is something that even I struggle with a lot. I feel that things have to be done right away and that they can't get done soon enough.

Last night I was humbly reminded why it is so important to wait. On Tuesday nights, we have a Bible study with our youth group. One of our guys had a bookmark stuck in his Bible and it had the following verse on it, "But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31. I told him how much I liked that verse and how much it meant to me. Later on that night he told me he wanted me to have the bookmark. As I read the passage again, I couldn't help but realize just how much I needed that. It was also a loving remidner that I am still in God's waiting room. I'm not there just because I'm waiting on a job. I'm there for lots of reasons, many of which I don't know about yet. Even though it's hard sometimes to be patient and wait, it is important that we wait on God's timing for everything. I couldn't think of a more perfect place to wait than God's waiting room.

Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep

In the movie "White Christmas", Bing Crosby sings a song entitled "Couunt Your Blessings Instead of Sheep". Here are the lyrics to the song:

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

After hearing this song and reading the lyrics, I couldn't help but think that ol' Bing's got the right idea. How many times have you been so worried about something that you forget to think of all of the blessings that are in your life? Have you ever thought that your blessings certainly outweigh the all of the burdens that creep into our daily lives? It is so easy to dwell on the things that bring us down that we ultimately forget to thank the One who has blessed us far beyond our comprehension. In Ephesians 1:3, Paul writes, "Blessed be the God and Father our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ."  There are times that I am overwhelmed at how awesome scripture is. This verse is one of those verses that just makes me think, "Wow!" How amazing is that?! Since it is so important to count our blessings, I want to list a few of mine right now.

1. I am so blessed to be a Christian. Becoming a Christian was the most important decision I ever made and I have never once regretted it. Because of that decision, I know I have a hope of Heaven one day.
2. I am so blessed to have a faithful, Christian husband. Steven is the most amazing man I have ever met in my entire life. Each day he encourages me and loves me unconditionally. I fall more and more in love with him each day.
3. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful parents who love me and support me in everything I do.
4. I am so blessed to be working beside Steven with the most amazing youth group ever. I have never seen such a group of young people want to do so many good things. They all have a love for the Lord that shines through them in everything that they do. My cups is so full because of these special people.
5. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful church family. Our Central family means so much to us and provides us with endless encouragement and love.
6. I am so blessed to have the friends that I have. Although I don't get to see many of my close friends very often, it is so nice to know that they are always there when I need them.
7. I am so blessed to be able to teach a wonderful group of middle school and high school girls during our Sunday morning Bible class. I enjoy hearing their stories and teaching them the way the Bible says to live and not how the world wants them to live.

I know this list isn't very long, but these are just a few blessings that are very special to me. I encourage all of you to make a list of your own blessings. Keep it in your Bible or in a place where you can read it often. Also, don't forget what Bing Crosby said, "Just count your blessings instead of sheep!"

With love,
Kaycee