As I write this post, I find myself in yet another holding pattern, another place of waiting. This time I’m waiting for 
the birth of our first grandchild – a granddaughter! Our first “baby” is ready to deliver her first (on the date of this post).
But I hate waiting. Really. Even when it’s for something as amazing as a granddaughter. In this case, however, I’m waiting with a sense of joy and excitement. So while I’m waiting (yes, a bit impatiently!), it’s with a prayer of hope that all goes well, and the expectation of something wonderful to come.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Waiting is work (hard work), and often there’s no real sense of what the outcome will be. We wait for news about a family member, for a letter of acceptance from a college, for an answer to prayer.
We long for that special someone to share life with and the waiting weighs on our fragile heart. We wait for that writing contract, our heart in our throat as we check email again. We hope for that new job, pacing the floor as we wait for the call.
During the past six years of my writing journey, I’ve clung to these words: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14.) Wait – be strong – take heart. Isn’t that encouraging?
What speaks strongest to me in those verses is the underlying hope, the sense of expectation. We might have to wait, but we can take heart that God is at work in our life, even when we can’t see Him. We can stay strong, knowing that He will answer the prayer of our heart in His way and in His timing. I think that’s something to bolster our hearts and minds during our season of waiting. Even something to celebrate.
This encouragement holds true no matter what we’re waiting for. A baby, a job, that special someone to come bearing roses and chocolate. Wait on the Lord, trust in His timing and His goodness, and wait for Him – expect Him – to move.
What are you waiting for? What are you expecting God to do?
My debut novel, One of Me, releases June 1. (woo hoooo!) It’s about waiting for God to answer prayer, to work in difficult situations, to heal and redeem – and what happens when the answers aren’t what was planned.
Fired from her job as a high-profile spokesmodel, Kiera Simmons flees New York for Minnesota, determined to regain her faith and build a normal life outside the glare of celebrity. She develops a program for teens to combat the world’s distorted view of significance with the reality of a loving God. Peter Theisen stands on the threshold of realizing his dream of becoming a famous performer. With his career being driven by his A-list agent, Peter is ready for everything fame promises.
Their unexpected romance, begun cautiously outside the spotlight, is soon put to the test. Facing her beloved father’s illness, Peter’s skyrocketing career, and threats from her jailed former boyfriend, Kiera’s only option would sweep her back into the glare of celebrity. The consequences could destroy her father’s health, undermine the message she shares with teens, and extinguish the fragile spark of love she shares with Peter.
To salvage their relationship, Kiera and Peter must find their way back into the spotlight of God’s love. But is the allure of wealth and fame too strong to resist?
I would LOVE to give away a copy of One of Me, but since I can’t do so until June 1st, how about some chocolate to help as you wait on the Lord to answer the prayer of your heart? Leave a comment – tell us what you’re waiting for, or how God has answered a prayer – to be entered into a drawing for some yummy chocolates!
And thanks for coming by InspyRomance! Hope to see you back here tomorrow.
Stacy is a freelance writer with articles published regularly in local community magazines and national publications. She also writes web copy for area businesses and a monthly newsletter for a women’s health business. She blogs regularly on Land of 10,000 Words where she features Minnesota writers, and provides insights into the writing craft and industry. Past president and founder of MN-NICE, the Minnesota ACFW chapter, she is now the Area Director for Minnesota. Her debut novel, One of Me, releases June 1, 2014, through Choose NOW Publishing. And if you ask her about her 1st grandchild (born Valentine's Day 2014), she'll be happy to show you some pictures.
Ohhhhh, did someone say chocolate??
Waiting. I feel like I’m ALWAYS waiting for something. You’d think someday I’d learn!!!
Stacy, thank you for the beautiful post. I’m so glad our waiting and hoping in the Lord is more than just a wish, but an expectation and assurance that He is at work behind our waiting! Makes me want to shout and say “Hallelujah!” Congratulations on your first steps in to grandmotherhood (obviously my made-up word). Grandchildren will change your life–in a good way–forever!
Stacy, this sounds like a great story. Congrats on grandparenthood! What a wonderful thing worth waiting for :-)
Krista, we’re always waiting for someone to say…’chocolate!’ Jesus is the ultimate medicine, but he invented chocolate as a supplement ;-) LOL
Stacy, your book sounds wonderful! I can feel the tension already, with her leaving the limelight and him just now finding it. Oh the choices they’ll have to make!
I’m waiting for my husband-to-be to show up. According to God’s perfect timing, he will. In the meantime, I’ll continue writing stories of hope and inspiration that, hopefully, will one day be published.
Blessings and congratulations on your first grandbaby!
Andrea
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
Stacy, I’m so excited for you – for your book, but even more importantly, for your new grandbaby!
What am I waiting for? Hmmmm . . . husbands for my girls so that I can someday be a grandmother? :) God is in control, so in the meantime, I’ll watch “Say Yes to the Dress” and pray (not necessarily in that order! LOL)
Krista, I don’t think we’re ever done waiting – even if it’s just for our next “chocolate” as Pepper suggested! And I love the idea that Jesus invented chocolate as a supplement!!
Andrea, your husband-to-be will show up at just the right time (just as you think you can’t wait one more day!). So glad you’re writing while you’re waiting. We’ll have to exchange books!
Hi Regina! Hopefully all that Say Yes to the Dress will pay off when it’s time to look for the girls’ dresses!
Stacy, thanks for your lovely post :) I’m so excited for you this year: first grandbaby, first book published! Lots of milestones after long seasons of waiting. I can’t wait for June 1 and the release of One of Me. I love this story and I’m thrilled you’ll see it in print this year and share it with the world.
Stacy, I’m so excited for you! A first grandbaby and a first book in the same year. Awesomeness! I can’t wait for everyone to read this book. It has a wonderful message. :)
Suzie and Narelle, thanks for coming by! And thanks for the encouragement – about the book and the grandbaby. I’m thrilled to be joining the published ranks with the two of you, sharing stories of love and friendship and faith.
So well said, Stacy! I can’t wait to hear the news about your granddaughter!
As you know, right now I’m anxiously waiting to see the cover of my debut novel, and I’m patiently (yes, patiently!) waiting for the fast-approaching release date. That’s all a very fun type of waiting.
Hi Stacy.
This was a great post. Your writing is just so eloquently written. I, too, am very excited for the release of your book. So thrilled for you. Once again, you use my word for the year…TRUST. It pops up everywhere! I am waiting to hear the news that you are a grandma! So, are you going to be called “grandma,” “nana,” YA YA–I love that one! Anticipating the news and also seeing you at writers group. Again, so thrilled for you. You have waited for this for a long time. I am just so joyful for all that God is going to bless you with in this new year. Blessings to you my friend.
My prayer is for my sons to come back walking with the Lord. Breaks my heart to see them not walking close to Him. Now they have their own children and I want them to know the lord also. So that’s one of many prayers I am waiting on. Thanks for the wonderful post. Did i see the word chocolate???
Blessings
Diana
Thanks, Narelle! Wouldn’t be here without you and your encouragement and critiques!
Glad you’re waiting for something so fun, Brenda!
Diana, I’ll be praying that God brings them back to Him soon. We never stop praying for our kids, do we? And then we add grandkids to the prayer list. Keep us posted. And why yes – we DID mention chocolate!!!
Thanks, Gail. I’m glad to be waiting with YOU!