*Before I ever saw the stunning post our dear Beth wrote and posted last Saturday, I also woke up Saturday with these words on my heart about the Holy Week. This will help you understand why I keep referring to Saturday. Grin. I love y’all!
I woke up this morning and after pondering my breakfast options, my thoughts immediately went to the weight of today. This quiet Saturday, or as some might label it; the wait.
What was everyone thinking? How was everyone processing this crucifixion they had just witnessed a mere 12 hours ago? What was running through the mind of Jesus’ mother Mary that went unrecorded in scripture? What thoughts was she pondering? How many tears had she shed that no one saw?
Days earlier these people were watching Jesus perform miracles. They thought they had found the Savior, but now they’d been robbed of their peace with no hope in sight. Saturday was the day all hope seemed lost. They didn’t realize yet that Sunday was coming.
For most of us, it’s the time in between that’s the foggiest. It’s the time in between that proves our character. It’s the time in between that makes us or breaks us.
Confusion sets in.
Hopelessness sets in.
Doubt sets in.
A lack of understanding sets in.
Coping sets in.
Disillusionment sets in.
Cynicism sets in.
Unbelief sets in.
Because when we’re robbed of something we felt sure of, even if it was Jesus Himself, we can’t help but wonder what in the world He’s doing.
The weight of waiting can feel unbearable at times, crushing even, and can seem longer and longer with each passing hour. As our dear Beth so eloquently penned it, “Sometimes waiting is the work.” And work it is, at least most days it feels like work. Working at fighting for joy, contentment, peace, solutions and whatever else we feel like we’re working for. Often times we’re fighting for identity.
Because we all know that though we label these times in between as waiting for something, whether it be a job, a husband, a baby, a breakthrough, a prodigal child returning home, a resolution to a conflict, a long suffering to end, whatever “it” is, they are really just times of refinement and we flat out do not like it because it’s uncomfortable. We grasp for control to no avail, and our ugly flesh is exposed. We either fall to our knees or run to comfort because the thought of facing pain or loneliness is almost unbearable. And while our coping appears to everyone as us looking for a solution, we’re really just looking for compassion. We just want someone to understand our pain without trying to fix it, because deep down inside we know Jesus is the only thing that can truly fix us. Instead of letting Him work everything out for good, we give our best efforts to work everything together for good.
The time in between…it’s the hardest.
But then, just when we have the confidence to face it head on, just as Mary couldn’t wait any longer to be near Jesus, near his physical body, a little light of hope breaks through. Because after all, over and over He tells us not to be troubled. Instead of finding him where we thought He was, He ends up somewhere completely different, somewhere we didn’t see coming.
In our home.
In our people.
In our workplace.
In us.
Jesus not only spent three days in a tomb, He also spent nine months in Mary’s womb. But yet we still continue to be shocked, stunned, and surprised at how He comes through! And it really was better than we could have imagined! And He really did work all the blood and bruising out for good! And it really does change everything. Our songs, our stories, they may be incomplete, but we still sing. We still sing because He is sovereign and His plans cannot be thwarted, try as we (or the enemy) might to thwart them. (Job 42:2)
Because that’s the kind of God He is.
The God who sees.
Who mends.
Who knits.
Who loves.
Who has compassion and solutions.
Who is our hope.
Who saw both Saturday and Sunday coming.
Who really did die for us so we could spend eternity with Him.
Who really does love us.
Who really doesn’t waste one minute of the time in between.
Who has provided everything we’ve needed thus far.
Who causes us to look back and see His hand of faithfulness all over our many seasons.
Who resurrects what’s been lying lifeless.
Who makes everything beautiful in His time.
Who gives us an identity, labeled us as a somebody dearly and eternally loved, despite what has or hasn’t come our way.
I know, because I’m currently living in a “time in between”.
And although confusion, discouragement, loneliness, mistrust, fog and anxiety have all set in on different days and different times, there is hope. And it is good.
And it is Jesus Christ himself. It always has been. So we fix our eyes on Him; and suddenly, the time in between doesn’t seem so hopeless, the weight, a little lighter.
As the old hymn so powerfully words it, “…all other ground is sinking sand.”
“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:7
Lindsee, you are awesome! Reading your post just now, I am moved to tears and marveled yet again at God’s perfect timing. He always knows exactly what we need. What He wants us to read. What He wants to remind us.
I’ll say it again: The Living Proof Team is blessed to have you on their side.
Beloved Beth is our forever Beloved Beth. I don’t always respond to her wonderful posts – not one leaves me untouched – but you are young and I want you to hear every single time a soul is blessed by your words. You are gifted and God has plans for you, beautiful girl!
Your words are generous and kind, Shirlea! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. You blessed ME today.
+1 sweet Lindsee! You are a gem!
This was exactly what I needed to read today, so timely. My words aren’t coming to me. God bless you. This post really reached out to my heart. Much needed reminder that ‘Sunday’ will come. Sometimes being stuck in between I forget. Again, God bless. 🙂
Lindsee,
This is the 3rd item I’ve read this Easter season about Saturday this year (Beth’s being one). it seems to be a trend! 😉 Thank you for sharing your thoughts – this post especially blessed me this evening.
Well they say Great Minds think alike! You have proven it true! 😀
Lindsee, this post too has blessed me as did Beth’s.
Thank you for submitting yours too, sometimes I would think it hard to write after Beth. You did a great job!
I am so grateful that Jesus has brought me to a place-here, where His Abundance Flows!
Good thoughts and words to Chew on!
I needed this today, Lindsee! Thank you so much for these wonderful words of encouragement! I, too, am in the between time, and it’s hard to wait, but I know He will make it worth the wait. He WILL make everything beautiful in its time, indeed. Blessings to you, dear one!
What encouraging words! Just when I think that the in-between time has GOT to come to an end, I realize that all of life is really “in-between”….and Jesus is right here with us, and He’s got this! 🙂 Thank you for this post!
I was just sharing with a friend today how sometimes God is a little obscure with the answers to our prayers but sometimes He takes a big old two by four and slams the answer home….
I have a friend who has been making some bad choices for some time now, and I’ve been trying to “help” her through it. It came to a bit of a head last week, and while my flesh wants to wriggle my way in and at least put a bridge across the canyon that separates us now, I prayed all day Friday and Saturday about what the Lord would have me do. Then I read Beth’s post about waiting. Then I read another post by a pastor about waiting. And then I got sick with strep so was in no mood to even think about things. Today, I’m feeling better and so my heart and head wandered toward the bridge again… So imagine my great satisfaction when the Lord again sent a confirmation about what I’m to do. It’s hard to wait. I’m a “fixer”. but I guess I gotta keep waiting…
Thank you so much for this. I too am in a waiting period. This is so right on time for me.
Lindsee~
So what I needed today!!! I too am in a waiting period!!! It’s hard to admit that it’s hard and it’s ok because like you’ve said there is hope!! HALLELUJAH!!! Thank you for posting you are an inspiration!!! ☺️
Beautiful words, Lindsee. The main word for me this Easter was hope and my heart too focused on the day in between. Your words encouraged me richly today.
this is wonderful, lindsee, and i have two friends who are going to receive this encouragement in their email inboxes in a few minutes!
This is beautiful… Thank you for writing so honestly. I know the ‘waiting season’ all too well – and you are so right, there are many times fear and doubt and confusion sets in. But through it all, Jesus is always my Hope – He always ends up calling me back into His arms / His Heart. We definitely have a good God!
Thank you for the deep thoughts while bringing the “simple” truth of this season to the front as well.
Wow! I’m in a hard waiting time right now and every post this week has been exactly what I need to hear. I know God is working but waiting is so hard for me! Thank you for sharing your heart with us, it has touched me exactly when I needed to hear it the most.
Yes, waiting is work, and it’s hard and Beth’s and your posts certainly help. It is always a comfort to know my Sisters in Christ share the same feelings, challenges as I do. Thank you for the post!
Thanks so much for your post Lindsee .. I wanted to let you know that it was so perfectly timed for me to read. Sometimes we just want Jesus to audibly talk to us, I think He just did to me through you a couple other things that happened today. Your post was very encouraging …
I think this is my favorite post from you. I know it must be hard to live in Beth’s shoes, but you are gifted and it is worth it to keep pursuing!
“And all the people said Amen”. This really touched home for me today and I want to thank you for sharing. It’s an interesting season as I see wait to see where The Lord is going to lead me relationally and professionally as I am quickly approaching college graduation. The season of uncertainty has been challenging for my type “A” personality and often times feels lonely. This morning I really listened to Matt Maher’s “And all the people said Amen”‘ and was encouraged, only to go on to read your post as well. So thank you for the reminder that so many of us are facing the same challenges in life. I really needed this today so thank you, and remember you are not alone either!
Your sister in Christ,
Emily
Lindsie,
This is magnificent! I have been there, lived in those Saturday waiting days. My own season of Saturdays turned to Sunday just weeks before a dear friend was blindsided into a devastation that has left her dwelling in the sad Saturday. Your words are a perfect reminder to me…….I want to fix it for her so badly but that’s not in Gods plan. I love your words that reminded me she is not looking for fixing, she is just looking for loving compassion while she WAITS for the healing she knows God will bring! The waiting is hard on those who love the hurting as well. But I take comfort in knowing I am doing something when I listen and when I lift her in prayer! My friend is a beautiful woman, a woman after Gods own heart and I know that I know that I know…….God will turn her Saturday into a blossoming and sun filled Sunday! Instead of desperately trying to think of something to make her feel better I choose to patiently wait with her on Saturday. Loving, praying and just being while God is doing His work in her! Thank you for these amazingly timed words and reminders!!
Wow, I feel this is a message straight from God to you for me! Thank you! He is such a loving God…Oh, how He loves us so!!!
This is so timely for me right now, for right now I am in the mist of ‘the time in between.’
Right this moment I am gripping tightly to the hem of His garment with all the strength He has given me, for in my own strength I cannot even lift my head.
Thank you for the encouragement & words of hope.
Thank you so much for this post, Lindsee! It is sooo true & exactly what I needed to hear! The waiting is the hardest yet we know that Jesus is always with us through the waiting – God is with us and I know He has never left me no matter how long the wait.
Prayer, faith & trust!! Those are the ingredients to get me through it all because Jesus did overcome for us and 1 day we will see God’s glory!
This is a powerful post. Your paragraph on waiting is insightful! God is in our in between. He is Sovereign and faithful. Thank you for using your gifts to bless us.
This is so beautifully said – Thank you for sharing your heart and wisdom.
I am printing this one off and using it for reference and inspiration!!!!
Lindsee – I was really struck by these words ” Instead of letting Him work everything out for good, we give our best efforts to work everything together for good.”
I am so exhausted trying to give my best effort to make things happen for me at work. I’ve got to-do lists made of things I need to do to be the best, and when I try to find the time to do all that, I realize there may not be enough hours in the day. I start to feel guilty. Then I look at the 24 hour day God has given me. The family I need to tend to that is way more important than my job. The job that He’s given me, where I’m expected to perform to the best of my ability certain tasks – but just for 35 hours each week. Not 10 hour days. Not 7 days a week. God will bless me in due time when I tend to what He’s given me according to His time and His plan – not mine.
Father, life is hard. Really hard. We are continually bombarded by all manner of things that can so easily take us to a place of longing for that which You, in Your master plan, haven’t given us yet. And sometimes those things we are waiting for never come. It’s hard, Lord, and it hurts. And yet, in my 50 years on this earth, I can say with absolute certainty, that You have not one time let me down. Your plans have always been so much better than mine – both for myself and for those I love. You won’t stop now. You will continue to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow – Faithful. You are the Faithful One. Your ways are right and good, loving and perfect. I lift up all Your precious girls today and ask that You would encourage our hearts, delight us with Your presence, speak into the sadness and sense of loss and assure us that Sunday is coming! I thank you for LIndsee. I thank You for her example of transparency and the insight You have given her into these things You are teaching her, that all of us either are, were, or will experience at some point (or points) in our lives. I pray that You would impart a special blessing on her right now – on this Saturday – that Sunday is coming! You are worth it, Lord – You are worth waiting for. Nothing we desire can compare with You. Strengthen us in the wait, Father. Be glorified in it. In Jesus’ most precious Name, I pray. Amen.
Your words were so powerful that as I identified with what you said, tears sprang to me eyes. Especially when I got to the part of all the things Jesus is. I have recently been through an intense time of waiting for a decision on a job – which I didn’t get – but what happened afterwards, because Jesus IS SO GOOD, has been AMAZING. The kindness of my colleagues to come and tell me how amazing I had been in the process and how I was definitely suited for the job (I just didn’t have enough experience and I can’t get that with time at the job!) and the whole time I’m thinking “You’re seeing Jesus!” and praising Him for shining through. There are many more waits in my future, I know, but how Jesus has exhibited Himself through this and affirmed in you blog, just proves one more time He is GOOD ALL THE TIME! Thank you so much for writing this, sharing your heart, blessing us!
Simply beautiful Lindsee.
Thank you, Lindsee. This was so beautifully and powerfully written. I can see the fruit and beauty that is coming from your submitting to Christ in your waiting season. I’m there too and struggling with anxiety, impatience, the whole bit. I’m praying for God to have his way in all this, but in reality- with the biggies of life- it is HARD to trust. I guess it is where faith meets the flames of life and comes through brighter and purer.
Your words are point on for me today, Lindsee. I too am in a holding place right now and my whole future is uncertain, but your message reminds me that God holds my future and my hope is in Him. Although control and figuring things out seems to have guided me many times, the time I’m in now I have no control and don’t see how anything will work out. I bless you in the name of the Lord today and thank you for your words of encouragement to my soul. I count Him faithful and he will come through for us.
Thanks, Lindsee, for your words and comfort they bring. My family is sitting beside my father’s bed waiting for him to go home to see Jesus. I feel helpless not being able to fix this, but oh, what comfort, to know that he’ll soon see Jesus face to face and be relieved from his cancer-ridden body. May our Sunday come soon for all of us waiting.
Dear Beth, I am so, so sorry. Praying right now that you all not only know, but feel the comfort of Christ right now. Much love.
This is beautiful. You are so right, waiting is excruciating! As one who has been in a waiting period for over 2 years, it is all the verbs you so eloquently used in describing it. Thank you, Lindsee, for pouring yourself out…it ministered greatly to this siesta! 😉 <3
Lindsee,
I, too, was so encouraged to read your words this morning. In fact, I forwarded them to several of my friends who are struggling in hard places right now. I’ve already heard from some that this was exactly what they needed to hear. How easy it is to forget Jesus’ abiding presence and faithfulness when we are the midst of our waiting places. Thank you so much for verbalizing the very things we need to keep in the front of ALL our thoughts!
Thank you, Lindsie, for sharing your heart with us once again. This is just what I needed to read today, and confirmation that I’m right where my Lord and Savior wants me..at His feet waiting. Oh, how He loves us!
Sweet Lindsee~ I love your way of thinking. I have been reading your posts for a long while now and you have so grown in your faith and as a writer!! Thank you for sharing so honestly and from your heart! You are a precious girl and I know God will bring your through this time of waiting VICTORIOUSLY!!
Praise God for You. I am currently experiencing these same emotions. I have felt so defeated and even disappointed by feeling God didn’t save me. I can take that from others, but to feel it from our Father was a pain that left me with no hope. I am realizing by God’s guidance that sometimes I just misunderstand and He is always good. Your words were such a great comfort my Sister and I’ll be waiting with you.
Lindsee,
Wow, this is powerful. Especially for me and especially tonight as I just came from visiting my brother in prison for a crime he did not commit. The waiting truly is the hardest. During the visit, my brother even talked about “the fog”.
Thank you so much for your God given message.
Thank you for this beautiful post that encourages me in faith and spurs me on to love and good deeds! Part of the good that your time of waiting is birthing is beautiful ministry to others. Praying for you and LPM with love!
Lindsee, your writing is so good, because your thoughts are so good. Clear and true. Wisdom, which we who are human are so clearly in need of. Well done, posting this. We need to remember the idea of resting in Christ, so that we can live. Thank you for sharing.
Lindsee,
I commented on this blog yesterday after I read it. Then I passed it on to many people who I knew could use your comforting words. You just wouldn’t believe the impact it has made in my small circle. Thank you again for writing such a powerful blog. Many have been comforted and helped as they wait. Including me.
Thank you for this Word of encouragement as I needed it. God bless you during this season!!
Beautifully written.
It seems to me that the 1st in-between-Saturday must have been the hardest for the Disciples, and Mary. We know what happened. That Saturday is made easier for us. Yet, how must they have felt after watching their friend, their teacher die on the cross? They had their faith of course, but were they crushed by guilt? Grief? The what-if’s? And then, the gloroius resurrection – the beginning of the story, if you will. Certainly, not the end.
Our in-between is, as you said, horrifically difficult. Sometimes, oftentimes, I picture God kind of chuckling at my fretting and worrying. He knows that all will be good. He just asks me to have of the same.
Thank you for putting this to words, Lindsee.
*to have faith of the same. (Stupid auto-correct)!
Well, I don’t know what the rest of your readers are going to do with this because I think your thoughts are meant for only me! I need this, ohhhhh, I needed to drink in your thoughts this morning. Thanking our Lord that you followed his guidance. I’ve been unemployed for 6 months now. The longest stretch of my life. Relocated so….no friends, so lonely. But, with this reading I will begin to begin again. Less mental whining, more praising. Less forlornness, more volunteering to gain purpose in my endless waiting. More singing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
What a powerful post on the “Weight of Waiting…” WOW! Read and pondered your awesome writing with Beth’s post you referred to…powerful words of wisdom, words to ponder in our waiting, our wondering, our wrestling and ultimately in our worship! Our GOD makes no mistakes! In realizing how very young you are, I am just amazed at your comprehension and understanding. I’ve walked with the LORD for 58 years in “trust and obey” knowledge…a simple faith that has worked and has won out! I am so grateful to the LORD for the most Holy faith He has worked in you and the gifting that allows you to communicate it not only to your generation, but the generation that goes before you…Amazing grace! SEnding much love and blessings your way in the mighty name of Jesus!
Powerful God-inspired words that are bringing me such comfort and hope during this season. I am “JOYFULLY” blessed by these words, sweet Lindsee. Thank you for writing down and sharing what God put on your heart.
P.S. – I am printing this and sharing with my adult son who will be starting the 2nd phase, this Wednesday, of his recovery from addiction. This will lift him up and encourage him tremendously. God is so GOOD !! God is making something new. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Giving Him all the Glory !!!!
Thanks again.
I am so, so excited about your new ministry focus! Sometimes I will cry about things and it’s like the welling up is not from me but from the Spirit…like, I know what things make me cry and I can tell you why, but sometimes it’s like the Spirit cries through me. So hard to describe…anyone else know what I’m talking about? Anyway, I experienced this when I read this post. I think God is going to do big things through your ministry shift.
I see someone else also had the same idea that I was going to bring up. What if, in addition to LifeWay’s giveaway of 50 tickets for the reasons that you said, a goal was made for the Siestas to donate enough to give away the 15-20 tickets for those who could not afford a ticket? Let me be clear, I TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY SUPPORT THE SHIFT IN THE GIVEAWAY!!! But what if we siestas could take helping out the ones who can’t afford to go? Maybe a link to make a donation towards that when people purchase tickets? I think that would be awesome, and I’d be in.
Lindsee,
Thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement. Everyday is a choice to pour ourselves out and into others on behalf of our Lord and Savior. You have served Him well on this day too.
You are very loved and appreciated by many a soul.
“And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time…”
Okay, so Witchita Lineman may not be ‘about’ Jesus, but it is a love song; and that line voices my love for Jesus, especially in a time of great uncertainty.
Thank you for these posts on waiting. Such a hugely needed comfort.
WOW – I so needed this right now. Going through a divorce that I don’t want after 26 years of unconditional love that I have given has been a tough pill for me to swallow. I rest in God’s ways are not my ways, His path is being stretched out before me, His arms are wrapped tightly around me!!! I will find purpose through my pain and thank Him everyday for rescuing me.
This in between time is the hardest thing I have ever faced. The loneliness, times of despair and pain can get me “stuck”. I will re read your post everyday to help remind me the weight is and will get lighter…..Thank You!!!