Giving birth to our hopes and dreams takes time
The daughter of a friend of mine just gave birth to a baby boy.
As the due date came and went, the family was on edge. After all, they expected his arrival to come in the time frame they were given. They didn't expect a longer wait. Each passing day was more difficult for the overdue mother. Her swollen feet, aching back and protruding belly from the extra weight she was carrying were a regular reminder that the day for this birth was urgently needed.
We know that hopes and dreams take time to come to pass. Even the answers to our greatest desires and prayers take time. There are times God works fast - I've seen some amazing prayers answered quickly.
But no matter how much we want to rush the process, things often take time to resolve.
Many times we think that God has forgotten about us because our prayers aren't being answered in our time frame. Part of the mystery of God is that he holds the key to our times. Oh, we help by praying and believing and taking steps of faith to carry out a plan. But even so, it's God's timetable that brings it to pass.
Oftentimes, during the wait we think it's too late or impossible. Situations cloud our perspective, wondering if God could ever make it happen. In the Bible, there was a couple named Sarah and Abraham who desired a child.
As old age approached, Sarah laughed at the possibility of it ever happening. God assured her heart, " Is anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord?" ( Genesis 18:14 AMP).
Sarah laughed the day her child was born. Her dream come true was so delightful she named her son Isaac, which means, laughter.
I don't know about you, but once in a while, as I'm waiting for something to come to pass and problems are mounting and time is ticking away, I need a reminder it happens in God's timing and not mine.
As we wait for God to give birth to our plans, we must wait with the perseverance of an expectant mother. Like the mother carrying her baby in the secret place of her womb, when our hopes and dreams are in the unseen realm, we can feel burdened and weighed down. We feel its delivery is long overdue.
We can be assured God is never late. He is divinely developing his perfect plan for our lives. In the wait, we can hold on to Bible verses such as "at the appointed time" ( Habukkuk 2:3) or "In due time" ( 1 Peter 5:6).
We can remind ourselves with each passing day we will enjoy birthing our dream in God's day for delivery.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, inspirational speaker, life coach and nurse. Annettee is presenting Writing and Publishing Thursday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at Panera Bread in Gurnee. Registration is suggested due to limited space, but not required. She can be contacted at Annetteebudzban@aol.com or (847) 543-8413.