Active Waiting

by Heather Cady
(Chicago, IL Heather Between Blog)

Last spring our family was in the middle of transitioning from Spain, where we had been living for the past 12 years, to Chicago. It had been a long decision, full of talking, crying, hoping, fearing, despairing, breaking and healing.

Once the decision was made, then shared, there was an immediate relief. That, however, did not last long. In those early months of 2010, we knew only that we were going to follow God through what seemed like an open door to Chicago.

We didn't know though, exactly what (jobs for both of us), or where (neighborhood, home, school). To be honest, I was an emotional wreck. I found it impossible to rest, trust, and wait and see what God would do.

Fast forward to February 2011. In many ways, our family is still transitioning. We don't know yet where our daughter will attend high school (a quirk of the Chicago public school system.) We are still looking for a church to settle into where we can all feel at home, serve and grow. Our financial support has taken a huge nosedive since transitioning from Europe to the US, so we're not sure what my husband's role is going to be.

But now, instead of fretting, I am able to trust. I really have no other choice, because God has been so faithful to us, not only in the past year, but all through my life. I can look at the apartment He provided for us and know He will continue to house us and give us HOME. I can look at how well our children have transitioned to living in the US for the first time, and know that God will give them what they need to face any challenge, including high school. I can listen to my husband sharing conversations of possibilities for work, both in ministry and in the regular job market, and trust that God will give him the right work.

It's not that I have become so much stronger or trusting in the past year. It's just that I would be a fool to look at all God has done for us and not be able to believe in His faithfulness.

I titled this Active Waiting because it's my heart's desire not to be paralyzed and inert while we wait for God's provision to unfold. Instead my hope is to engage fully in the present, the immediate, NO MATTER what the future may bring.