In the Waiting
I have a great mom. Holidays were so special as a child… I remember struggling to sleep the night before because I just couldn’t wait for the next day to arrive. It didn’t matter if it was the perfect gift under the Christmas tree or the frantic, giddy chase to find eggs on Easter morning, there was always something special to look forward to.
Many of my friends would share when they found a stash of gifts, or discovered the “truth” behind the holiday surprises. I didn’t believe them… I liked the surprises!
When I became a mother, I tried to create special moments for my sons. I worked hard to make sure they looked forward to each and every holiday. Traditions were established early and I remember feeling a new excitement— the one that comes from creating moments that bring another person joy. Instead of struggling to fall asleep, I would often wake before my alarm, lying in the dark of the early morning hours, waiting to watch their delight.
As I sit here on this beautiful Saturday, I’m anxiously waiting to begin the next phase of joy. I’m meeting my daughter-in-law and twenty-month-old grandson for his first official Easter egg hunt this morning. I know he will be excited, but I anticipate there will be a brief period of confusion and fear in the new situation, followed by the realization of what’s going on… then he’ll be off to the races with every other bunny-chasing “eggspert”.
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When I think about waiting, it brings to mind memories of great joy and as I get older, patience to sit in the waiting allows me to consider what could be or maybe what is yet to come.
I have this quirky little habit where I like to imagine what God was thinking when something happened in history. I also wonder if He still delights in surprises left for us to discover, like sunrise or the new buds each spring. The anticipation He must feel when He already knows the outcome must bring great joy.
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The tomb was sealed. The world went quiet. And hope felt buried.
In the silence of Saturday, I imagine He experienced great sorrow. Sorrow that it came to this… that His Son had to suffer.
I sense others felt indescribable grief and maybe frustration, wondering if the past few years had simply been a waste of time. I imagine some also felt anger, believing that the promises had all been broken.
Little did they know that Heaven was setting the stage for resurrection.
Waiting on God is never easy. It’s hard to be patient when it feels like nothing is happening.
But the truth is—
God does His best work in the waiting.
If you’re in a season of waiting, don’t lose heart. Allow yourself to anticipate the excitement of “what’s next.”
He’s still moving… even when you can’t see it.
Wishing you many blessings on this holy weekend.