May

29

The waiting game




My family is off visiting relatives this weekend, and I’m kind of surprised by how much I’m missing them right now, by the depth of the feeling. They’ve barely been gone 24 hours, for crying out loud, and I feel so sad.

I know this feeling is just a reflection of the week I had. They needed to get away and have fun. I’m glad they went, but I needed to hold them close after the storm.  

I’m getting a lot of work done, which is why I stayed behind. Can I have one more gripe and just say how tired I am of staying behind to work? There, that’s my last complaint. Promise.

I have to listen to music while I work, otherwise my thoughts run rampant and I get distracted. A song came up on Pandora that I’d never heard before, and the lyrics hit me like a brick. Here is just part of the song:

I want to open my eyes
I know that all I need is time
I’m growing stronger every single day

Got to go I’ll leave it to you now
Letting go of all my fear and doubt
I can’t do this on my own so I give you control

The pressure makes us stronger
The struggle makes us hunger
The hard lessons makes the difference

And the differences make it worth it

The song is For Those Who Wait by Fireflight. I went to their website to find the lyrics, and I found this blurb from the lead singer, Dawn, about the story behind the song:

“There are so many hard things going on in so many people’s lives that life sometimes can be seen as a giant waiting game. We’re just waiting for those hard things to teach us something. Those hard things that happened to you can become the best things that ever happened to you because God can use that pain. He’ll turn it into power for your life, to help yourself and to help others. And those will be the cornerstones of your entire life and the basis and the formation of your character.”

 I can’t imagine words that fit my life better than that right now. I have a hard time remembering that the hard lessons make the difference, or that God is working in me right now. When you’re in the depths of the struggle you can’t see very far in front of you. Trusting is the key, and I’m continually working on trusting.

Another thing I have a hard time with is praying for myself. I waver between giving up completely and feeling like I’ve prayed it all before. So when you all say you’re praying for me, you have no idea the gift you’re giving me.

I do have a prayer for all of us this weekend. While I’m missing my family so much that I physically ache, I pray that you will be wrapped in the love of your friends and family. If not literally, then in your heart. Love what you have, love the life you’re living, treasure the gifts you’ve been given.

The only sure thing is right now. Cherish it.

For more Tuesdays Unwrapped visit Chatting at the Sky

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    Filed Under Family, Inspiration, of the spirit | 13 Comments 

    13 Responses to “The waiting game”

      1
        Shelly on May 29th, 2010 7:37 pm

        I, too, am alone tonight…the boys are on a trip and my daughter has her own plans. So I am reflecting, reading, and seeking in my quiet time :) I’m glad I found my way to this post…I will indeed say a prayer for you tonight. And thanks for this advice…”Love what you have, love the life you’re living, treasure the gifts you’ve been given”….definitely words to live by.

        And thanks for visiting my blog :)

        XO
        Shelly
        Shelly´s last blog ..Chapter Five: Control My ComLuv Profile

        Sheri Reply:
        May 29th, 2010 at 8:14 pm

        I’m glad you found your way here, too! I loved your post on Control.

        Thank you for the prayers. Enjoy your quiet time.
        Sheri´s last blog ..The waiting game My ComLuv Profile

      2
        Daphne on May 30th, 2010 8:40 am

        There have been many times in life that it was a true struggle for me to have faith and trust that God had a plan for everything. In the midst of hard times it’s so hard to believe that He is working on us! I will keep you in my prayers!
        Daphne´s last blog ..Yea!! A surprise for Jacob! My ComLuv Profile

        Sheri Reply:
        May 31st, 2010 at 11:31 am

        Thank you for the prayers. It is hard to believe that He is here with me, even now. This is the hard part of faith; believing in Him is easy, believing in Him in me is not. Always working on it!
        Sheri´s last blog ..Kick-off Summer Giveaway! My ComLuv Profile

      3
        Melinda on May 31st, 2010 12:00 pm

        Boy, could I relate to this post, Sheri. (What a surprise, soul sister! ;0) Everything in my life seems so unbearably hard right now. I’m not a whiner. I’m not always thinking I have it “so bad.” But the last 2 years have been the most gut-wrenching I have ever experienced. I know God is working. I know my pain is going to spill out in my writing when the time is right and God is going to use it to help others going through the same things. The waiting is what’s so tough. The waiting until I get through this. But I know there’s purpose and a deeper intimacy to be had with God in the midst of the pain — while I’m waiting.

        I truly will be praying for you as you wait for God to bring you through your struggles, as well, Sheri. We’ll never reach a time where we’re struggle-free, but I do think God gives us times of rest from the intensity of our trials in order to refresh and refuel. I pray we’ll both stay strong and stand firm until that refreshment comes. ;0)

        Sheri Reply:
        May 31st, 2010 at 1:09 pm

        I’m praying for you, too. The waiting is so hard. I know life will never be easy, but there will come a time when we feel some peace, and that’s my biggest wish, for peace. I hope it comes quickly for both of us!
        Sheri´s last blog ..Kick-off Summer Giveaway! My ComLuv Profile

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        Kristen on June 1st, 2010 8:44 am

        You know, I think we all have these ’seasons’ in our lives. It’s these times that God usually (somehow!) forces us to be alone…either literally or figuratively. It’s often these times that are truly the times that mold us…whether or not we realize it or like it! I’ll be keeping you in my prayers and I hope that in your ‘lonesome’ time you were able to just…”be still {and silent! ;-) } and know that I am God”. (Hey–I’m not so hot at quoting the scriptures…but I know that’s in there somewhere lol!
        Kristen´s last blog ..Longer Tweets are Possible! {Tweet me Tuesday} My ComLuv Profile

        Sheri Reply:
        June 1st, 2010 at 9:18 am

        I’m like you, I can’t quote scripture accurately but I have a pretty good idea of whats in there, lol!

        I know this is a season and it will pass. I’m getting anxious for it to pass though! I know He won’t give me more than I can handle, but lately I’ve felt like He is surely testing my limits.
        Sheri´s last blog ..Monday Motivation My ComLuv Profile

      6
        Melinda on June 1st, 2010 8:59 am

        So glad you decided to link this one up for TMT. I really related to this post. I tweeted it for Tweet Me Tuesday!

      7
        stacy on June 1st, 2010 10:15 pm

        Tweeted your post for Tweet Me Tuesday!
        stacy´s last blog ..Acountability My ComLuv Profile

      8
        Southern Gal on June 2nd, 2010 11:41 pm

        I’m convinced parenting is one of the most difficult things you will ever do in your life. The teen years prepare you for the years when they leave the nest and make decisions on their own. You suddenly have NO control. That’s when I finally trusted God to care for them because He created them and loves them even more than I do. Praying you’ll get through this with an extra portion of grace.
        Southern Gal´s last blog ..New Mercies My ComLuv Profile

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