Not Now, But Soon

My every footstep sank into a mound of sand, making my early morning beach stroll feel more like a mountain climb. The sun was already hot enough to bake cookies. By the time I reached the boardwalk that led back to the air-conditioned condo, I was panting with exertion. I looked forward to a tall glass of icy water.

As I passed the pond, squawking geese greeted me; I scowled at them as if they were to blame for Fall’s absence. It was late September, after all. Determined to cling to my bad mood, I walked on. But when I saw the beautiful cattails lining the edge of the pond, I was drawn into the scene. The cattails stood at ease in utter stillness. Instead of fretting about the heat, they appeared cool and calm.

What I noticed next lifted my heart. A few of the cattails were covered with whitish gray fuzz. When the summer life cycle of this plant is ending, new seeds are produced. Each is connected to a bit of white fluff so it can travel on the wind to grow in another place come spring. This was a sign of fall.

My grumbling spirit changed to one of gratitude. I bowed my head to thank God for His powerful reminder. Although the temperatures were still summertime-hot, God’s plan was in place and would continue. Through the promise I found in the marsh, I remembered God’s love was steadfast. He is with us through every season of life, no matter how long they might last.

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 25:8 ESV

To hope for in this verse means to expect and trust, while patience means cheerful endurance. How many blessings have I missed out on as I’ve tried to rush through life, being neither trusting nor cheerful? In my impatience for Fall I could easily have overlooked the cattails, which, to me, signified His love.

Today God used His gift of creation to shift my focus off myself as He whispered, “Not now, but soon.”

Through the promise I found in the marsh, I remembered God's love was steadfast. He is with us through every season of life, no matter how long they might last. Click To Tweet

The longing to bypass God’s timing is useless.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14 ESV

What is God asking you to wait for during this season of life?

What is the greatest challenge you face as your wait?

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11 Comments

  1. Waiting! Oh my. We are on the same wavelength too. This idea of being still and waiting has been on my mind for a couple of weeks. Feeling overwhelmed and a bit overloaded. I need the rest. But yet struggle with it too. Thanks for this word.
    I need to refresh my strength. I have a speaking engagement coming up next week and have felt weary. So I know that waiting will give me strength.

    1. Jeanne,
      The balance between being and doing is something I struggle with too. It’s hard to change my mindset from “Don’t just sit there, do something” to “Don’t do something, just sit there!”
      But for restorative rest that’s what we must do, be still and wait.

      Best wishes as you prepare to speak.

  2. I’ve never noticed how cattails eventually end up all white and fuzzy! Your analogy is beautiful as always, Candyce. I didn’t realize how much I wanted time to hurry pass until we started building the tiny house. I’m learning a lot about patience but even more, I’m learning to value the here and now, thanking Him all the way. Blessings!

    1. Thank you Cathy. I’m thankful I finally learned to value the ‘here and now’ too, Besides what God says, the Mac Davis song, “Stop and Smell the Roses” is a great reminder too.

      Good luck with your tiny house!

  3. The heat has been miserable here, too, but I love this reminder about my grumbling: “He is with us through every season of life, no matter how long they might last.” Thank you for sharing!

  4. Always enjoy your posts Ms. Candyce. Waiting is difficult; but am learning that waiting on God’s timing ALWAYS works out better for me. My biggest “wait challenge” is avoiding the temptation to pick whatever I’ve given Him to work on and trying to fiddle with it/solve it without Him. All that really does is delay His plan for me. It doesn’t change it, but I’m certain I’ve missed out to many blessings I could have received had I just waited. When those thoughts/desires start to bubble up, I remind myself of the importance of being patient by telling myself that while I might be ready, God is still working on the other end of the blessing for me. Loved the post ma’am.

  5. Candace, your theme and verses are those are draw much strength from. Thanks for the illustrations to point out we can trust that God’s plan is in place and we can have hope in that which we haven’t yet seen.

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