wait for it

“Super Bloom” of wildflowers blankets Death Valley
The gorgeous wildflowers of Death Valley.
Posted by Los Angeles Times on Thursday, March 3, 2016

Is this not AMAZING! Let me tell you what is racing through my heart right now after I watched...

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes,Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Galatians 6:7-10 The Message

7-8 Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others - ignoring God! - harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

9-10 So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right not, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Nothing is wasted in Christ! Nothing.  
Not a hard day.
Not the sleepless nights with a new born baby or precious angel baby toddler who is allergic to sleep.
Not that tough friendship.
Not cancer.
Not that lost job.
Not even that unexpected bill.

Nothing is wasted.
I can be sure because God tells us that He even holds sacred our tears. He goes to the ends of the earth to tell us and SHOW us how much He loves us and how His plans, though confusing or even seemingly unbeknownst to us, those plans are for us. He reminds me of this. Patiently. Firmly. Sometimes with consequences. Always with love and never demeaning. He reminds me His heart is for me.

I say that I love Him because He has so kindly and completely loved this fiery, hot-tempered at times, short suffering girl, strong willed woman FIRST. HE loved me F I R S T.
No wondering.

No waiting and hoping, "Will He love me? Am I good enough? Did I please Him?"
He loved me first.

He loves us first. If we can believe that wholeheartedly and trust Him in the long in the tooth seasons of waiting, then we get the reward of seeing His faithfulness. Mind you, His faithfulness isn't dependent on our patience. No, indeed not.

Riding out the wait wholeheartedly seems to me about like showing up to the park the day record numbers are there, standing in the line for hours, finally riding the roller coaster, then getting to relive the thrills and drops and excitement with the one you rode with while you wait for the picture to print that captured your unhinged jaw screams! The unwilling soul who chose to skip the ride altogether is pouting that they are even being made to be at the park because it is too ______. You know this person. We've been this kill-joy a time or two, bless our hearts.

Ride the whole ride with Jesus.

Let's stand in the long line with Him. Hang on through the whole the ride with Him. Then relive it with Him and tell the story to your children so they will KNOW. Leave a mile marker and never forget that you were there and got the t-shirt.

Don't miss the truth of reaping what we sow. How can we even be surprised by the foul weeds that come from sowing selfishness and strife? Like children, we get amnesia come time to pay the piper. How'd we get here? This isn't what I wanted!  Y'all, is it not worth our attention and consideration that so much of what Jesus taught us came from stories of sowing, planting, waiting, and garden work. Spend time there with Him. Self, take a note:

Source: LA Times Click through image for more on the super bloom in Death Valley.

What are you waiting for? Are you in your Super Bloom season?
If you are on the other side of your Super Bloom, what's stirring in your heart...what new thing is Jesus already doing in or through you?