Waiting on God

End of May. The entire backyard was a sea of green and vibrant flowers painted the neighborhood.

It was a joyful celebration of spring. Minus one blatant mystery.

For no apparent reason, one of our favorite trees just didn’t grow new leaves. It was out there completely nude, likely feeling out of place among its beautifully covered friends.

My husband and I stood on the deck gazing at it nostalgically, remembering the great shade it had given us through the years and coming to terms with having to take it down.

But for once, procrastination served us well—a couple weeks later we started to see little signs of life!

A few subtle sprouts quickly became a fully blossomed tree. Yay! And while we often took for granted the return of life after winter, we were actively joyful to see leaves on this tree. A new found sense of gratitude and appreciation.

Ah, that leafless, lifeless tree. Lagging behind the rest.

Have circumstances in your life ever felt that way? Like the time to flourish has run out. The opportunity for change is in the rear view mirror. The hope of renewal lost.

Psalm 130:5 says, I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 

When we’re low on hope, the game changer can be shifting our eyes away from the situation. Turning our focus to God.

Completely.

When we are waiting on God, patience is a whole lot simpler. We can trust that His timing is right. We can find strength in His unwavering love. We can be assured that His plan is always better…even if it isn’t what we had in mind.

In time, change will arrive like those sweet green sprigs of hope. God will transform the circumstance, empower us to act, or fill us with the peace of acceptance.

So let’s remember to hold on. God isn’t finished with us. And something good, something beautiful, is always possible.

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Romans 12:12