While I rationalized, the Lord was patient. – Sandra Kovars Stein.
I’m thankful Father is not put off nor delayed by my irrational rationalizing for logic when He has called me to faith.
My hesitancy does not unsettle Him in the least. Nor does it disrupt His plans.
He is patient to wait me out, knowing I will eventually come around to His way of thinking when I yield to the Spirit’s tug.
There is simply no rationalizing the way Father works, no tempering the allowance for the miraculous.
No denying that faith is simply that — faith.
As illogical as it seems, I place my trust in a hope I don’t always understand but believe to be true.
Anyone who has walked any length of time as a Christian can testify that God’s ways do not follow man’s rules. There is no set formula for answered prayers. No patterned course to lead methodically from A to Z. My heart would do well to remember this, even when my mind can’t comprehend it.
When I can’t make sense of the seasons, I can trust God to remain Lord over each one. I can also trust that wherever He leads me is somewhere He already is.
I’m not given some nebulous directive to wander off into the unknown. I am extended an invitation by Someone whose very presence is always before me.
While I wrestle to RSVP, He waits.
While I ponder, He pursues.
When I waver in my convictions, He remains resolute — unflinching in His devotion toward me.
And when I finally surrender, He rejoices and leads me onward with His ever-present goodness.
Step by step, He turns my heart to sway more in rhythm with His own throughout life’s journey.
Faithfully.
Patiently.
For eternity.
Until I receive all that He has in store.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. – John 1:12-13
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This post was written in conjunction with https://fiveminutefriday.com/2023/01/12/fmf-writing-prompt-receive/ Teaming up with an online group of writers who encourage others to share the words God has given them. The gist is to write for five minutes on a one-word prompt, then post your writing and link up with others who do the same — no overthinking, no deep editing, just free-writing in a short amount of time.
Beautiful! We are neighbors over at Kate’s for Five Minute Friday! So glad I stopped by!
Amen! Beautifully stated, Barbara.
P.S. I was having a really frustrating day today and in need of some encouragement, but the person I reached out to never responded. And now what seemed like a wasted day is coming to an end, and I am catching up on this week’s FMF posts, and I coudn’t believe my eyes when I saw you had quoted me at the top of your post. No one has ever done that before that I am aware of. So thank you for that. It means the world to know that something I wrote made an impact on someone.
Sandra,
I’m thankful Father showed up to salvage your “wasted” day as you were attempting to “rationalize” its worth. I had copied your quote in a journal awhile back and revisited it again on Sunday. Seldom do I write a FMF post on any day but Friday, and I almost didn’t share it. I’m thankful Father stirred my heart to do so. It blessed me knowing He used your own words to hearten you. He is so kind and faithful, and yes, patient as we “rationalize.” May you be encouraged to know your words always have impact, even if they are only meant for you and God. Continue to write and share what He has given you as an extension of your worship to Him.
Blessings, Barbara
Yes, thank you for the thought and heart put into this. We wait, we receive from our Good Father. May He keep drawing you closer in His grace!
Your FMF neighbor Sarah