For years I have been described as patient and understanding. I wore this title proudly and repeated to others how patience was one of my attributes. I grew up dreaming of being a teacher and practiced my skills on the stuffed animals lined up before me. Sometimes I even had a captive audience in my brothers. I spent many hours developing controlled patience because if I was to be a teacher, a favorite one at that, I needed to speak calmly and kindly.
Just recently, I realized how patience is not as deeply wired into my being as I let on. The world says ask for it and go after it. There is a feeling of waiting for nothing to achieve that next goal. But then I pause and look at where I was and where I am going. The process is just that – a process. One that requires patience.
I still claim patience as part of my personality, but find in certain situations it is lacking. Dreaming takes patience and a willingness to sit in the middle between beginnings and endings. I shared before I just recently began to allow myself to dream. It always sounded like something for children. When you reach a certain age, your time for dreaming is over, right???
The reality of my current life shows me sitting in the middle of a dream. Who would have thought a retired teacher from Ohio would find herself dreaming let alone reaching beyond herself to see it to fruition? But the question I face right now is how do you continue to see your dream to the end when you are caught in a time of waiting? What do you do when nothing is happening, but the path to your dream is ready for next steps?
As I sit here waiting for my new house to be built and my current house to sell, I wonder if I will ever make it down the path. The place in the middle is nothing like I imagined, but everything God planned. It’s hard to admit the doubts filling my mind and the ache in my heart. Instead of holding onto the one who created my plan, I allow uncertainty and lies to lead the way. I find myself worn out from the struggle rather than relishing in the peace of following God’s lead.
The time in the middle holds promise. God’s promise that He will see us through to the end in His perfect timing. Sitting in the middle also creates tension. The good thing is God is in the tension holding out His beautiful peace. We just need to say “yes” and claim it. Finally, anytime you are in between what was and what will be is a time for God to work in you to teach you perseverance in your purpose.
In this time of knowing my dream is a few months away, I find myself struggling more than ever. God carries our struggles when we reach out to Him with patience, prayer and praise. I find myself centered when I embrace the three P’s and center my day around them.
Patience – Sometimes all I need is to practice breathing in deeply and in the exhale blow out all that is weighing me down.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12
Prayer – When I take time to press pause and focus my eyes on Jesus, I see and understand more clearly.
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 17:6
Praise – My best days are ones that begin with worship music (played loudly, of course). There is joy in the freedom to worship God that never grows old.
May we trust that God is in the middle with the promise He will see us through in His perfect timing!
Shared by: Mary Geisen
Michele Morin says
July 10, 2017 at 6:41 amPatience all by itself is a lonely and frustrating road, but adding prayer and praise . . . I can tell you are a teacher because this is a great formula. Blessings, Mary. It’s been so uplifting to read about this process God is taking you through.
Mary Geisen says
July 10, 2017 at 4:42 pmThank you Michele! Once a teacher, always a teacher. I know I can do anything with Christ and for me I need patience, prayer and praise. I appreciate you and your sweet encouragement.
Alice Walters says
July 10, 2017 at 8:37 amDear Mary, this retired (sort of) teacher in Missouri is right in the middle with you, and some days it’s just hard, isn’t it? But God doesn’t call us to easy. Your formula for staying on track (patience, prayer, & patience) is terrific! Mine is frequently the old gospel song, “Trust and Obey”. Blessings as you continue to dream and believe.
Mary Geisen says
July 10, 2017 at 4:46 pmIt can be hard Alice. I love knowing you are a retired teacher. I also love that you turn to a song when you are in this time in the middle. I pray you are allowing yourself to dream during this time of your life. We still have so much more to give. Thank you for stopping by.
mareedee2016 says
July 10, 2017 at 2:19 pmWow, I never really thought about dreaming needing patience but it sure does. I don’t like the in-between stage but I know it is necessary and we have much to learn in this place. Thank you for your thought filled post today.
Mary Geisen says
July 10, 2017 at 4:48 pmGod does some of His best work when we are in between. It is hard for us and it requires much patience to get through. God is always faithful in the process. That is where my praise and prayer comes in. Thank you for joining me here today.
Joanne Viola (@JViola79) says
July 11, 2017 at 7:44 amI read the post yesterday and it spoke to my heart. This morning I find myself returning to read it again 🙂 Only this time, I different line spoke to me >>> “May we trust that God is in the middle with the promise He will see us through in His perfect timing!” So often when we feel “stuck” we forget that He promises to see us THROUGH. He knows where He is bringing us and it will be good and right and best.
Mary Geisen says
July 17, 2017 at 4:01 pmThank you Joanne! God does know what’s best and the part that trips me up is waiting patiently for Him to do His work. God is faithful and I seem to need to be reminded of that too often. I pray you find God whenever you are in the middle of dreaming. He will never let you down.
Aimee Kollmansberger says
July 11, 2017 at 11:15 amI write a lot about the Middle Years, and I absolutely love what you said here. Will be sharing it with my newsletter subs the end of this month!
Mary Geisen says
July 17, 2017 at 4:03 pmThank you Aimee! There is something to be said about the middle years that brings so much good but just as many challenges. It is really my favorite time of life. I appreciate you being here and sharing these words with your subscribers.
Lynn says
July 11, 2017 at 12:18 pmIn the middle can be so murky that one may feel like quitting! Your post reminded me of a Casting Crown song I once was drawn to for many months. A lyric is “But will we trade our dream for his or are we caught in the middle…” No matter what stage of life we are in, God wants us to dream His dream for us doesn’t He? Thanks for this reminder today!
Mary Geisen says
July 17, 2017 at 4:23 pmIt sounds like you have been in the middle before. I love Casting Crowns. What is the name of the song? God does want us to dream His dream and it’s very sweet when our own dreams collide with His. Blessed you stopped by Lynn!
Donna Reidland says
July 14, 2017 at 12:38 amMary, what an exciting time … looking forward to what God has for you! Even though it requires patience, I’m sure there is joy in the anticipation! I look forward to hearing about the new things He’ll bring about as a result of your trust in Him.
Mary Geisen says
July 17, 2017 at 5:22 pmIt is an exciting time. God is so good to keep using us no matter what age we are. I pray you feel a sense of being able to dream too. Thank you for joining me here.
Vicki Cottingham says
July 15, 2017 at 1:12 amSo true that God teaches us perseverance in the waiting time. There is so much we can learn as we wait on him for his timing.
Mary Geisen says
July 17, 2017 at 5:23 pmWe can learn so much during the waiting. We need to be open to listening and embrace patience through the process of waiting. I am blessed you stopped by.