The Waiting Room

Generally speaking- we are an extremely impatient society.

We want things when we want them and how we want them.

The problem with our impatience, is that we don't give God free reign to work when we're constantly checking up on that which He SAID He would do. I know I can't be speaking only for myself when I say that it's extremely annoying to have someone ask you for something, or to complete a certain task and have them bother you until it's completed. You assure them you'll get it done, yet they keep checking up on you. That alone makes me want to abandon ship right then and there. We can't say that we trust God and continue to doubt His process at the very same time.

Is it frustrating to be in The Waiting Room, unsure of when or how God is going to bring something to fruition? YES.

Do we grow impatient in the process? ABSOLUTELY. And yet, The Waiting Room has a purpose.

I'm going to give you some context here..

When I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, I had just turned 23-years-old. I was still in college, studying broadcast journalism and I had been in a relationship with her father for four years at the time. I was scared, excited and anxious for the journey all at once.

Our relationship was tumultuous during and after my pregnancy, causing me to make a very tough decision to end it. I was 23, with a 2-month-old daughter just trying to figure out how I was going to do it alone. I had some of my most lonely, down days after our break-up. My spirit and soul were both completely crushed. But when I tell you God worked in me so, so dramatically during that time! I look back and I can say that if it wasn't for Him molding me and shaping me into the woman He wanted me to be during that process, I don't know where I would be right now. That was one of the darkest times of my life. While I was so happy that I had this beautiful baby girl, I was also broken that I was living life as a single mom- something I wanted to avoid. Being raised by a single parent, I knew just how hard that was, not only for the parent, but also for the child.

I left an apartment, good paying job and my relationship to come back home to Los Angeles - and moved back in with my dad. That wasn't exactly how I pictured my life to be as a new mom. And I had several days where I was up late in bed crying, or nights where I stood in the shower crying because I was mad at God. He was the one who told me to move back home- and I heard His voice clear as day! But I questioned why He would have me move, when it felt like there was nothing for me to come home to! Where would I work? Who would watch my daughter? How would I be able to be an independent mother? I was impatient and completely distraught that MY idea for my life was crumbling before my eyes - or so I thought.

But God spoke to me and said, "My ways are not your ways," (Isaiah 55:8-9). So, I waited. I applied to job after job after job. I was so discouraged and often times would cry out to God again, questioning His direction. "God- if You wanted me to come home, why isn't there an opportunity lining up for me?! Why do You have me in The Waiting Room?!"

My questioning did not shorten His timing.

I probably applied to over 150 positions within an eight or nine month period. Not one position I applied to called me back. Discouraged, I randomly thought about emailing my old boss at KTLA5 News, who I had interned for while I was pregnant. I told him I was looking for a job, and he invited me down to the station to talk a few days later.

He gave me a position on the spot. And it was one I hadn't even applied to.

God held me in The Waiting Room and opened a door for me that I didn't even knock on. Out of 150+ positions, I was offered one that I didn't even apply to, but that ended up being perfect for me!

John 13:7 came to mind.. because in The Waiting Room, I had no idea what God was doing. I didn't care what He was doing, to be honest. All I cared about was that I wasn't in the place I so badly wanted to be in. But God says, "Right now you do not realize what I am doing, but later you will understand."

Let's fast forward two years.. I was given an opportunity to learn a new position within the first six months of being back at the station, and was promoted to a completely different position less than a year and a half later. God really did that! And I am so thankful for that waiting period- because let me tell you, I have grown as a woman so much since then. My patience is not as thin, I'm more understanding, I am a better mother, a better friend and a better follower of Christ. I have realized that every single season has a divine purpose and every single moment is timed and perfectly planned for YOUR betterment.

God says in His word that ALL things work together for the good of those who love The Lord (Romans 8:28). Even when I was broken and didn't feel like things would turn around for me, God used that! Had I not come back home, I wouldn't be working where I am now! My daughter wouldn't have the close relationships she has with my parents, I wouldn't have formed relationships that I've formed, experienced moments I've experienced or grown to be who I am right now, in this very moment.

If God has you in The Waiting Room, you are in great company.

In Genesis, God told Noah that there would be a flood, and He gave him explicit directions on what to do and how to proceed in order to be prepared for that day. He told Noah to gather up his entire family and seven pairs of every single animal and make an ark. Noah moved with expectancy when God gave him instructions, and his faith did not waver. While he built the ark, he was in The Waiting Room. While the flood swept the earth, he was in The Waiting Room- but he held on tight to God's promise.

Now, if I'm being honest- I can't say that I'd be as patient as Noah was in that situation. He was one of the only men in the Old Testament who actually walked with God. And because of his obedience to God's direction, God offered His provision when the flood came. And He shut Noah and his family inside of the ark (Genesis 7:16).

How many situations can you think of where there was absolute chaos happening around you, but God SHUT YOU IN? He didn't allow you to be harmed because of what your friends were doing. He sheltered you from the pain of that divorce. He offered His provision even when you were living paycheck to paycheck. GOD SHUT YOU IN.

Even in The Waiting Room, God made sure that Noah and his family were well taken care of.

So, I ask you now- what are you in The Waiting Room for?

Whatever it is, wait with expectancy. Know that God is going to do exceedingly, abundantly and above all of anything you could ever ask for or fathom (Ephesians 3:20-21). Eyes have not seen, nor have ears heard the good things The Lord has planned for His people (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Hold tight to His promises. He will bless you for your faith, your patience and your trust in Him.