A Special Place

A famous doctor wrote a simple, famous book that spoke briefly of such a prominent time in my life right now. I have been many places, and I know that I have more places to go, but I've never been to a place like this before. A place that, since been here, I've realized that I'm not the only one here. A place where I have learned a lot about myself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Mentally, I have used and learned far less than I have the past 22 years of my life. Physically, I have learned that as your body gets older, you must take better care of it or it will overtake you. Emotionally, I have dealt with heartache, and a new thing called "failure". And Spiritually, I have realized how important it is to get back to the "basics" of worship. I've learned that worshipping our Father is the best when everything is stripped away-no glitz,glamour. It is truly a beautiful experience. (Hey, maybe I have learned something!)

So what is this place that I'm talking about? What is this grand place that I've spent in for what seems like oh, so long?

Well, Isaiah 40:31 states that "those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. I'll say it again. The LORD will renew my strength." How comforting! Isaiah 30:18 "Yet the Lord LONGS to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him." Sigh. Wait.

So what is the divine learned place I have been?

"The Waiting Place" It was senior year of high school. A dear teacher of mine, my favorite and mentor, read us the book our last day of class and presented us each with our own copy. I remember getting to "this part" of the book and thinking how nice it is to not be in that place. (side note: if you have spent more than 10 minutes with me, than you should know this "wait" thing just isn't something that I do! I dream, and then I achieve. So, apparently your whole life can't be that way!) Although, at this point in my life I wasn't exactly sure what God had planned for me (do we ever) It was a new phase in my life, stepping stone to stepping stone, new beginnings! It was an exciting time, so the waiting part was not really in my vocabulary yet.

Ironically enough, it was also read to me during my graduation ceremony when I graduated from college. It was one of the happiest days of my life and such an unbelievable feeling of achievement. So the "waiting place" was the least of my worries at this time as well. Little that I know, I would be doing a lot of that in the coming days.

I would wait for the mail, wait for a job to post, wait for an acceptance or denial letter, wait for an interview, wait for a second interview, wait for "the call", wait for a door--anywhere, "Lord, just give me a door! I don't care what it looks like! I'll go through it!" Yeah, that's how much I don't like waiting.

In this "waiting place" I have praised God for the rest that I have had (He knew I needed it after 4 years of 21 hour semesters) for blessing us more than we ever imagined or deserved so that we would be ok with me out of work, and growing so much closer to my beloved husband. He is so charming! Most importantly, my relationship with the Lord has grown tremendously. I have learned that it is ok to wait. He teaches us. He molds us. And he will love us through it all! Through the disappointment, heartache, feeling of failure, and tears of feeling like absolutely nothing to this world, HE is the one who lifts us up so that we may soar like the eagles. Remember? I know that I may still be in the "waiting place" While here, I will shine, I will pray, and I will trust in our Maker. It brings me great joy to know that my Father will never leave nor forsake me every step of the way.

Thanks Dr. Seuss and thank you God!