Patience, please.

The other day I had the great opportunity of being around my sweet little friend, who is three years old. In fact it was for a Birthday celebration for some one else, but she still received many presents, (mainly because she is absolutely adorable, and no on can help but give her anything to see her smile).But anyway…Her grandmother sat her down on the couch with a large toy store bag next to her, and gave her each present one by one. The three year old sat next to her grandmother trying so hard to peer over her lap and see in the bag, asking “what is it?” “What is it?” She first folded her hands and smiled a bright smile trying so hard to be patient. As soon as she got her first gift, a doll, she screamed with joy. This is exactly what she wanted! As soon as the doll was in her hands, she looked right over at the bag, and we all laughed. “What else is in there nana?” After a moment she got her next gift, a Barbie car, and practically threw the “old” doll out of her hands to embrace her new shiny pink convertible. After another scream of excitement she was filled with joy and a huge smile, which seemed to have lasted until the next gift, and next gift, all with anticipation of what else was to come. Until the bag was empty, and even the backup bag (that was expected to last through the week). Granted no one expects a three year old to practice good waiting skills, but God used this to remind me of my own life, and how I am asked to wait on Him, and wait on Him well.

This experiance was immediately followed by the past weekend where God continued to make it obvious how much I am in need of patience while waiting on His plan, and His timing. And in the midst of the waiting, He is asking me to not only be patient and content but joyful while embracing exactly where He has me.

As I began my weekend “retreat” with good food, and GREAT friends, I realized how much the Lord is asking for my love and devotion to be committed to Him and trust in His timing. The Bible says to “seek first the Kingdom..” and God is calling us all to first seek His purpose and will for our lives, which is to bring Him glory and further His kingdom. Period. I think we often loose sight of the “eternal perspective” just because we are so caught up in what’s next, what else does God have to offer in His bag of gifts for us. Instead we should realize today is the gift we are given, and we should be joyful about where we are, and when He desires He may pull out the next gift in the bag to bless us, but only in His perfect timing.

The fact of the mater is, we need to wait on everything. The waiting periods in life will never leave or change. But weather you wait in joy and contentment, or in anxiety and unhealthy anticipation is up to you.

After all, a lovely friend of mine pointed out, waiting seems to be an obvious trend in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah had to wait for a baby, the entire Old Testament people were waiting for the Savior to come. Jesus even had to wait until he was in his thirties to start His ministry, and now we all wait for his return.
We will forever be waiting……to fall in love
...to find a church
…to get engaged
…to buy a house
… to get the right job
… to have a baby
…to see our savior face to face

But with healthy anticipation and joy, we can wait for these things to be released and given, in His perfect timing, because in the end living in His will, will be worth it!

Try waiting on this delicious cake, that takes patience but is worth it in the end!

Devils Food Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups of sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (splash a little extra!)
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions: Measure out dry ingredients into a bowl, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a mixer beat the butter until smooth and gradually add sugar on a higher setting. Add cocoa powder and vanilla and continue to beat. Gradually add one egg at a time.

Bring the water and milk to a boil.

Combine the dry ingredients to the batter, and slowly pour in the liquid mixture.

Divide the batter between two round 9 inch pans.

Bake at 350 degrees about thirty minuets. Enjoy!

Eat, Drink and Be transformed by patience!

Sarah