When God Says “Wait”...

Years ago, my husband, Jerry, and I were looking for a different house.

Every time we found one we loved and made an offer, I mentally moved in.

I knew where the furniture would go.

I had already decorated the living room and figured out where everything would go in the kitchen.

I could picture our life there.

Then the offer fell through.

Friend, have you ever become attached to something before God gave it to you?

I certainly have. Too many times.

Each disappointment felt bigger than it probably should have.

At the time, I expected God to say Yes to my prayers immediately. 

This felt like God was saying no.

🎥 Let Jesus Define Who You Are, Not Other People's Opinions

👉 Watch here

And, you might like this part especially:

Timestamp: 01:05 Who Is Defining Your Identity?

Looking back, I realize He was saying something very different.

He was saying, "Not yet."

There is a big difference.

One of the most powerful lessons God has taught me is that His delays are not His denials.

Many years ago, I spent well over a year researching homes when we were again searching for a house to buy.

This was before the internet:)

I contacted a realtor who regularly mailed me house listings.

Whenever I drove through a neighborhood, I paid attention to "for sale" signs.

If I saw a home that looked like it might be within our budget, I would write down the realtor's number and call for details. I walked through many homes.

Completely unaware that God was doing anything, I was preparing.

I was developing knowledge of what was available, what we might like in our next house, and learning.

 Then, one especially lovely fall afternoon, while driving with my children in the countryside just for the quiet and calm it brought, I took a road I enjoyed for the fall colors and beautiful scenery.

At the end of the road, I stopped. Should I go right or left?

I turned right.

After the road curved and went through a small town, I turned left at the stop sign.

A little while later, I noticed a house for sale.

I wrote down the realtor's number and called about it when I got home.

The price was actually above what we had planned to spend, but I considered it additional information in my "education," and scheduled a walk-through the next day.

That evening, my husband strongly objected.

My normally placid husband was uncharacteristically upset, so I assured him I would cancel the appointment the next morning.

God had brought me to a place of complete rest, so I was fine with doing that.

But, overnight, God did something.

He worked in my husband's heart.

To this day, neither of us can explain it any other way.

Because, the next morning, my husband left very early for work, and called me before 8:00 AM, and asked if I had canceled yet.

When I told him no, I hadn't, because the realtor's office hadn't opened yet, he said, "Well, let's meet there after work."

When we met there that afternoon and walked through the door, we both knew.

This was our house.

I have learned something about God over the years.

First, He prepares me. I need time.

That year, God was not only giving me time to research but also preparing my heart.

The delays don't bother me as much anymore because I know that when God moves my husband's heart, things will move very fast!

Within one month of seeing the house for the first time, we were moved in.

It remains one of my most powerful testimonies.

How God led me to find the house, how He moved in my husband's heart, the purpose He had in moving us, and how fast it all happened.

What amazes me now is not simply that we found the house.

It's what God did through that move.

If you've gotten caught up in comparing yourself, or copying others, thinking your life should look just like theirs…

remember God created you uniquely for His purpose.

👉 Read more: Uniquely Created by God for a Purpose

Where I saw new friendships He would bring into our lives...

God saw the spiritual growth He wanted to bring to our family.

Where I saw finding a church right away and immediately becoming involved...

God saw the outcome of our faith growing exponentially through not finding a church immediately.

And, God intended the waiting to give my husband time for a deep study in the Word of God to see what a church should look like and be.

God brought opportunities we never could have anticipated.

He changed our family and brought countless blessings, all because of that one decision.

Looking back, I'm so grateful for every house we didn't get.

I'm thankful for each disappointment.

Every delay and every "unanswered" prayer.

If God had said yes earlier, we would have settled for far less than what He had prepared.

Maybe you're disappointed today because something hasn't happened yet.

Your prayer remains "unanswered."

That door seems to be tightly closed.

A dream you've had seems completely unattainable.

But what if God is not withholding something good from you?

What if He is preparing something far better?

And, what if He's in the process of preparing you for His yes.

Scripture reminds us:

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think..."

Ephesians 3:20

That's exactly what God did in our story.

And I've seen Him do it many times since.

Friend, God's timing is perfect.

He sees what you cannot see.

He knows what needs to happen before the answer arrives.

And while He is preparing the answer, He is often preparing you as well.

👉 If you’re unsure what’s yours to carry…

💖 Start here: Lead Yourself First

Don't assume that a delay means God is saying No.

Maybe a closed door now doesn't mean your story is over.

Trust Him.

Prepare while you wait. 

I've often seen Him prepare me in the waiting room of life.

Maybe He's preparing you, as well.

Keep listening for His voice.

And remember that when God decides it's time, things can move far faster than you ever imagined.

I've seen it happen.

More than once. And, these become my greatest testimonies.