Waiting is good.
But we’re Americans and waiting is not something to which we are accustomed.
Want fries? Three minutes.
Want popcorn? Four minutes.
Want to see the earthquake in Japan? One minute.
Want a tan? Thirty minutes.
We are in control. We want things and we want them fast.
So as I wait for a baby to come, the Lord gently reminds me that I am NOT in control. He calls forth the young and I can’t flip it, press it, microwave it or order it.
I can only wait. And the waiting reveals how impatient I am, how frustrated we can become when we are given all we want upon demand.
Photo courtesy of Olivia, taken at my baby shower.
So while I wait, I ponder. And I praise Him for this little lesson where He delights to show me who is really in control. I turn my face upwards, smile, and exhale...”In your time, Lord.”
41 comments
well some say you could “order” the delivery (induction, c-section ….) but I wouldn’t recommend it!!!
Waiting of God timing, for baby or anything else for that matter is hard, like you said, when we want it, we want it now!!!
Praying that all is well with you and your family, and for a safe delivery!
I’m surprised you aren’t at least offering a prayer for Japan, instead of using it as an example of impatience…doesn’t it break your heart to see those images of suffering?
Margaret, are you this hateful to everyone or just Kelly?
You can’t be serious.
Yes, clearly she only uses it as an example of how quick we can view the events, if we are wanting to.
Hi Margaret, I was hoping to find a link to your prayers for Japan? Please don’t assume what you cannot possibly know. I’ll say it – you’re being ugly to a pregnant lady. Please stop, it’s mean. And in case it’s unclear, yes, I’m judging your bad behavior, so yes, I’m being judgmental. Rightfully, righteously, so. I’m sure you’ll understand.
Kelly,
As I am 36 weeks pg on Tuesday, I am getting to that waiting point as well. And I remember well the last several pregnancies that feeling. Especially when you are big, uncomfortable and have lots of prodromal labor with tons of contractions beforehand. May the Lord bless your time of waiting. You are so right on…we are such an instant culture and don’t like to wait. But, scripture has SO many references to waiting! Life is really about waiting on Him for everything, isn’t it? May the Lord bless you, sister! I am there with you!
Kelly, I have thought about you alot today. Wanted to call a couple of times. This post is just beautiful. I feel your anxiousness in your words. Praying all goes well for you and quickly. 😉
Miss the picture the first time I saw this post, you look AMAZING!!!!!
Yes, we in American have not learned to wait. This is so true. As a midwife, and a mother many children, and I totally understand how you are feeling! I have been impatient at the end, and have cried out to God through it. (It is good though to know that He is in charge and not me. I love to see which day He chooses and how he brings it all about.) To know that he understands that it is a hard thing, and I haven’t slept, and I am crampy and hormonal, and sensitive and longing to hold and see this baby..this helps! There were two times I could bear it no more. I wanted my way now! So I got on my knees alone in my room and cried out to God. I told him all the reasons, pleaded my case… and when I was finally done, I sat silent. With a new quieted heart,I finally gave it all to Him and told Him “not my will, but yours. I want to delight to do your will.” I meant it. Ironically, both times I did this my labor started first thing in the morning, praise God! In acceptance comes peace. In choosing His will, sweet contentment; a jewel. We decrease, He increases! God bless your birth!
Wow! Love it.
How is it remotely nasty to suggest that prayers be offered for Japan? My church has a large prayer chain that stretches across oceans…I just found it upsetting to see this tragic event so casually mentioned. That is all.
Margaret,
Your comment was ridiculous. Not posting a public prayer on the blog doesn’t mean I’m not praying. And I wasn’t being casual. (For all you know, I could be heading up a relief fund, or holding vigils, or…) The only reason I mentioned it at all is to demonstrate how we can see news across the world in a flash–something we’ve never been able to do before. I used this news piece because it is recent and relevant.
My lack of “posting a prayer” in no way demonstrates a lack of compassion or praying on my part. Do please refrain from the nitpicking.
Kelly, I think everyone knows what you meant except for Margaret. You had timing in mind. How quick the news coverage can come these days. That was OBVIOUS. Some days I just don’t know how you do this blog girl.
😀 I sure don’t anticipate some of the rabbit trails!
I have family in Japan that might be lost, and that’s how your remark struck me. It was not ‘ridiculous’ at all, and I am not nitpicking. I didn’t insist you post a public prayer. I said you used a news piece in a way that was quite dispassionate. Had it been coupled with even a word of compassion, I would not have said anything. But it wasn’t.
I do pray your family is OK and I wish you peace as you wait to hear from them. May God humble and soften us as we witness suffering all around.
Margaret, you said “Had it been coupled with even a word of compassion, I would not have said anything.”
First, any person who has compassion and knows Christ has offered up prayer on behalf of all involved. For Salvation, for safety and for help. To assume otherwise shows some level of hurt and projection.
Second, by your statement, you indicate you would prefer any flippanly worded prayer over an omission of prayer while mentioning Japan (two different hearts are involved). This sentiment may come from your fear from your family. Or not. Either way, the Bible states that out of ones heart the mouth speaks.
We do not have family there, but have visited and have many friends. I cried for hours while watching the unfolding, so I feel for you deeply. In our hurt, our job as Christians is not to lash out at others. Reveal your hurt without assuming others are trying to hurt you. Refrain from unknowingly asking others to fulfill your unspoken needs. In your grief, God alone can fill the voids, fears and insecurities.
I have prayed for your family in addition to the others. And prayed for all of us to hear the voice of God clearly in this and all situations.
Juxtaposing fries, popcorn, and tans (three frivolous pursuits) with a tragedy that has taken the lives of thousands could reasonably cause pain. Kelly may be privately doing the right thing, but that does not mean that she is incapable of being held accountable for an off-hand comment. We are saved by Christ, not by our good deeds, and our good deeds do not prove that we live completely sinless lives.
Margaret may not be the only one hurt by the comment, and Kelly may want to consider the possibility of hurting anyone else–I say this to mean Margaret’s comments may not be a bashing, but an opportunity. Japan wasn’t just mentioned, the earthquake that killed thousands in Japan was mentioned. This could affect many people visiting the blog, and many could have those same unspoken needs that you apparently feel should be dealt with privately. God can fill our voids, fear, and insecurities, but it is not right that one of those insecurities should be the fear of making ourselves more compassionate and thoughtful people. As Christians, our carefree, happy days may be darkened by the problems and needs of others but there’s no reason to give the needy a brush-off, as we can carry forward through Christ who strengthens us. And if it is a fellow Christian who is needy, we should support one another in Christ, not simply dump our friends in Jesus’s lap so we don’t have to be bothered by their voids and fears.
Love the picture! When are you due? Love and miss you! Jonna
Beautiful picture! No wonder God keeps allowing you to have babies, you were clearly made to sustain numerous pregnancies, and beautifully! He is so great at knowing all of our differences!
What a beautiful picture of motherhood….you are such a lovely lady! God bless you as you wait.
A verse that used to help me when I was in the midst of a long labor, but which I think also fits perfectly while waiting for labor to begin, is this one: Psalms 29:9–“The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of [his] glory.” And another I found just now while looking up the reference to this one goes right along with what you said, Kelly: Job 39:1: “Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? [or] canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?”
Reading the Margaret’s comments and those sparked by hers brings back to me a lesson which I often need to be reminded of. While I may be hurt by what seems like an unfair, unfounded, hurtful comment, the one who made it may have her own private suffering that I know nothing of. I say this not to defend myself when I’ve been the one who made a comment that hurt someone, but to remind myself to be “slow to wrath”.
Wonderful reminder, Kelly!
And you can still cross your legs! I’m impressed! My belly is so large and low with this baby that leg crossing is impossible! And I still have a couple more weeks until we meet this fourth little blessing!! 😀
I continue to pray for you and a safe delivery of your son. You look just perfect!
You are beautiful in your waiting….a beautiful pregnant lady. A good example for your children. May God reward your waiting with a fast and safe delivery of a tiny miracle of God. 🙂
It is hard to wait….I think this also can apply to those of us who aren’t pregnant at the time but would welcome any children that God has in store for us….and want one “now”….God knows better far than we can express in words our needs…AMAZING…to think… For that I am thankful…knowing that for each and everything HE has purposed a time and a season. May we continue to look to Him for all things.
I am right there with you! tic-toc, tic-toc…. My belly is the size of a beach ball this time (and that can be viewed on my blog) and I am waiting… waiting… waitintg. I have a list of scriptures and songs to have with me during labor and that song is one that I have, also. I am uncomfortable for sure, but I am not necessarily in a hurry to get the baby here. I have four others and I know that they are never easier to care for than they are when they are still inside. 🙂 And right now she is all mine and I don’t have to share her with anyone… only I can feel all her little movements, etc.. What is killing me this time is the anticipation about all the unknowns. When will labor begin? How long will it last? Where will I be? Will it be convenient for the help that is coming for my kids? Will the midwife make it? How long will it all last and how long will I be away? Etc…. All of those things I really have no control over! Your right we have to give it to God! And wait! So, I will be watching to see which one of us goes first. Blessings to you! Shannon
Hugs to you!
Beautiful photo! I can’t wait to see what name you all picked. Tic..toc.. lol! Thank you for posting this 🙂 I am now 14 days away from my due date too.
I homeschooled my kids for five years and most of it was pretty miserable on many different levels. Although I did enjoy being with the kids, just not the “educating” part. Now they go to a private school, in Peru, that has 25 kids in the entire school from K-12th grade. THe entire school is made up of Christian children who come from strong Christian families. When I read this article, I feel very judged and condemned from ALL the readers who think that homeschooling is the only way. I do not feel encouraged or strengthened as is the point of this website. Lots of finger pointing at “bad” moms like me who no longer homeschool. It’s very discouraging and makes me want to tell everyone I know to stay away from the homeschooling movement of people of who only approve of people who do things exactly as they do. 🙁 Very sad…..
Jess in Peru
Jess,
I’m sorry you feel that way. I wanted to remind you that Gatto’s solution is not simply “homeschooling” and I pointed that out twice in the comments. His solution is “free market” for parents to educate their children as they wish…so really, the post had little to do with homeschooling.
Jess,
I also could have written the first part of your comment. But I do not feel as you do in the last part. Although I do not homeschool anymore, I do not feel judged AT ALL when I read Kelly’s blogs about homeschool.
My children go to a private christian school which consists of only those people who are of the same faith (Reformed, Calvinist)as us…strong christian families…all large, conservative families…who have the same values as us…whose teachers are of our own family’s and truly love the children as there own. We feel it is right for us to send them there at this time…perhaps always.
Still, I want to support homeschoolers.
No one is pointing fingers at you…certainly not Kelly. Perhaps, if you feel that way, you need to examine your heart. (I say this in humility and kindness.)
Jess, I do LOTS of things ‘mainstream Christianity’ thinks is wrong )but not that of the early church). I DO NOT CARE. My job is to do what God has called me to do. I mean this is the best possible way. If God has called you to do something (assuming you hear and obey His voice) then WHO CARES if someone doesn’t like what you do.
I don’t. No one can make you feel bad about obedience unless a) you let them. b) you are unsure of your calling or c) you are out of God’s will and either He or someone He uses is addressing you. (there may be a d or e (or more) I haven’t thought of).
I do homeschool. But if God has told you and your hubby not to, do not give authority to those not over you. Take all opinions in, check them with God and do accordingly. Don’t let others make you feel judged. However, if you are out of God’s will (as I have been and taken the correction) then obey accordingly. God cares about our heart. If we are willing to be subject to Him, He will reveal the things that need to be fixed.
I am so sorry that I posted my comment on the wrong post. silly me.
Jess,
I also meant to say that where your children are now being schooled is almost like a homeschool. I went to a tiny school of 25 students (K-12) the first half of my schooling and I loved it! We were like a big happy family. We were taught and treated as individuals. We learned using a self-pacing curriculum from ACE. I do not think you should feel bad to have your children in such an enviroment. I do not think that Kelly or the ladies on this blog would tell you that you are in the wrong place.
You’re right, Tracy. And how neat–I also attended an ACE school for 4 years with 12 whole people 😉
So exciting for you, Kelly! I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing pictures and updates when the new baby comes.
Kelly,
For a while this past year, we were pregnant at the same time (my daughter is now four months old). I experienced that pregnancy, my third (well, actually, my fourth, since I lost one baby to an early miscarriage), very differently than my previous two. My spiritual walk with the Lord had deepened dramatically, and for the first time, I was relying upon the Lord to get me through the 20 weeks of hyperemesis and the long wait till the baby came. My first two pregnancies had been tough, but then I had “easy” labors a week early with both. My third pregnancy was challenging, too, but then I went two weeks late! It was very trying for me to get through those last few weeks, but thank the Lord He made the baby wait! I dealt with two children sick with the croup and had to fight off a nasty head cold in the three weeks prior to delivery. The pediatrician and my midwives both breathed a sigh of relief when the baby didn’t come till after everyone was well again. The Lord knew what was in store for our family, and He provided. He kept that baby safe and sound in my comfy womb till the danger had passed. And boy, then the baby came fast! I barely made it to the midwife, only 25 minutes to spare. I think you mentioned you had quite a drive to the hospital, too, so I will pray for Godspeed and a safe delivery for you and your baby!
Kelly, I am a regular visitor to your wonderful blog, and your writings are wonderful. Many times I have to just stop and digest what I have read as you frequently hit the spiritual nail on the head and I want to truly grasp and embrace that truth, not just gloss over it. I am old enough to have acquired some level of wisdom and discernment in my life, and know how to weed through the detritus to get to the meat. I am happy to say that I have not yet once encountered any detritus on your blog! 🙂 At any rate, I wanted to let you know that I am praying for you as you travail these last few weeks of pregnancy. I know very well how that feels…I have had 5 babies (3 are older…21, 19, and 17 1/2, and then a BIG gap followed by a 2 1/2 year old & a 16 month old) and I am 41. I hope that anyone reading this will be encouraged that ALL things are in God’s timing, and ALL things are part of his glorious, perfect plan for us. And for a tiny bit of inspiration for the other “geriatric mothers” out there (I say that VERY jokingly at my own expense!), I just found out this morning that I am expecting again. 🙂
Thank you so much, Kim! And a great big “congratulations”!!!
TWO years late, but you look so gorgeous, Kelly.