Matthew 10:31
“Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.”

After the barrenness of the winter months, a transformation begins to take place in our garden. One of the first signs of Spring, besides the appearance of crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths, so anxious to burst forth in new life, is the heightened activity of the birds. Sometimes we hear the eager twitterpated birds as early as mid-February when they begin their search for a nesting place, making their plans, searching for the right spot as their time of barrenness is about to bring forth new life.

Many years ago when I was a relatively new Christian, the desire to be used by God was burning so deep within me that I cried out to Him asking, “Why? Why am I in Your ‘waiting room’, Lord?” To my heart He spoke clearly, “Because I am preparing you.” He must have had a lot of preparing in mind as it was another decade before I sensed He had been preparing me to minister to women. And then, like the flowers of Spring, God’s plan for me burst forth into a new life, a ministry to women that has taken many forms and has lasted for over forty years.

Today marks the beginning of the Autumn season, followed by another Winter. For some, a sense of dread begins to creep in with the familiar feeling of barrenness. It has been nearly two years that I have dealt with severe neck pain and, with travel and the holidays ahead, I am asking the Lord, “How much longer, Lord, will I be in Your waiting room?” Blessedly, the pain has diminished significantly, enabling me to return to many everyday tasks, but I am still not where I hope to be and must continue to wait.

There are a number of my friends who also find themselves in God’s waiting room as they deal with extreme physical pain. Other find themselves dealing with the heartbreak of being cut off from family, or are waiting for their “prodigal” to come home. Perhaps you are experiencing a dry spiritual period or you are waiting for God to answer that long-awaited prayer, or to make it clear what His calling is for you. Are you feeling forsaken by God as you wait? Please take heart, dear reader; He has not forsaken you or me! We are of much more value to the Lord than any birds. He loves us, He has a plan, and we can trust Him as He prepares us during this time spent in His waiting room.

How can we use this time of waiting to prepare for God’s fulfillment of His plan for us? As we wait, let us remember to fix our
Eyes on Him,
~ Marsha

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much, and that You care about every detail of our lives. We acknowledge that You have a purpose for each season on earth, and each season in our lives. Help us to trust You to bring new life out of barrenness by taking our hurting hearts that may tend towards giving up, and transform them into soft, yielded, trusting, and faithful ones. Prepare us, O God. In Jesus’ name and for His sake we pray. Amen.

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