Leif and I have sat in a lot of waiting rooms lately. We watch as families and friends gather, waiting for news of their loved one. Where mothers and sons, neighbors and grandfathers await treatment.
In some ways, we all sit in waiting rooms. Whether we wait for a child, the prodigal to return, a spouse, financial stability, test results, or retirement, we wait. Staring at the door, hoping good news will be unleashed and the darkness will brighten.
Often in our waiting, we find ourselves asking Why?
Why this?
Why now?
Why me?
I’ve found that God doesn’t coil at our questions. Instead, he invites them. He invites us to pour out our pain and longings, fears and dreams through prayer. God listens to our stinging words, embraces our frail hearts, and meets us where we are. [Tweet this]
Heart-cries splash onto the page in the form of laments throughout Scripture:
“We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy.” –Psalm 123
“I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, ‘Will I ever make it—arrive and drink in God’s presence?’ I’m on a diet of tears—tears for breakfast, tears for supper.” -Psalm:42
“Oh listen, please listen; I’ve never been this low.” –Psalm 142
Sound familiar?
Yet even as we wait, God meets us there. The season of Advent reminds us of the importance of waiting. That God’s timing is always better than ours. That joy and wonder can be discovered in the most unlikely of places.
Waiting isn’t meant to be passive, but active.
This Christmas, choose to wait expectantly and hopefully—no matter what your circumstance. Resting in the truth that God meets us exactly where we are. [Tweet this]
What are you waiting for this Advent season?
How can our team be praying for you as you wait?
Oh friend, I do hope you’ll come along as we uncover the wonders of Christ’s birth this Advent.
If you run into any issues while subscribing or downloading, feel free to email Jessica (jessica@margaretfeinberg.com).
Healing, we continue to wait for healing Margaret…not only for Tom but so many of our dear friends. Lord may we please see your goodness and mercy soon!
Need prayers just found out I have breast cancer and need a mastectomy at 47. Still waiting on pet scan praying it’s no where else. So scared I’m not sure how I will get through this. I need to put my faith in God and offer up my worries to him.
Praying alongside of you friend. Come, Lord Jesus.
Gina– lifting you up right now. May God lead, protect, lavish you with his presence today and each day of this battle. Fighting with joy on your behalf, friend.
Gina, know that we’re holding you up in prayer. I just read this from Stasi Eldredge that I hope may bring some comfort:
“In all their distress he too was distressed” (Isa. 63:9). We can know that in our distress God too is distressed. Jesus understands heartbreak, betrayal, abandonment, loneliness, sorrow, and pain. He is acquainted with grief. He cares. He cares for you.
God promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). The original Greek is difficult to translate because of the strong emphasis on never—it’s a triple negative. God wants you to know that you will never, never, never be abandoned by him. Ever. Never ever. He promises to never leave you or forsake you no matter what you’ve done or what you are suffering. We hold on to that. “
Watching you and Liz was precious! As you took turns reading each other’s books, God came shining through. Words that Holy Spirit poured through each of you, to bring this season back to the heart of God. Thank you for sharing!!!
May your season also be found right in the middle of God’s heart!!!!
Thank you for sharing, Margaret. This post has special meaning for me as I am battling an aggressive form of cancer. I’m 30, have two young children, and am facing 16 rounds of chemo. Praying for you! Maybe you have a blessed Christmas season.
I am praying for the requests above. And we are waiting for confirmation that our house is under contract so that we can move to a new home and leave this expensive burden behind. God has a plan!
Rachel I am praying for you as well that God makes your chemo without sickness and successful! I know what you are going through I have 3 young daughters. Thank you everyone for your prayers. Today is a two dr day!
Ian– I love the triple negative there– thanks for pointing that out! NEVER NEVER NEVER will he leave us! AMEN!
Hi Janice! It is actually sweet Ann Voskamp in the video with Liz. I am honored by the mistake, though. 🙂
Rachel, lifting you up, friend. May God cause his face to shine upon you during this battle. Keep fighting, sister! Merry Christmas!
Wahoo, Mindy! What an exciting (and sometimes super stressful) season. Praying that everything goes smoothly and timely!
Praying for the doctor’s wisdom and guidance, Gina.
I am waiting for my marriage to healed and for my husband to have a renewed relationship with God. It’s hard to have hope sometimes.
I so needed this today, Margaret, thank you. I have a tendency to get down too quickly but I have reason of late. My son was in a head on collision on November 7th, he was on his way to work, on a bridge with no where to go when someone in the opposite lane fell asleep and crossed the center line. My son survived, with much mangling to his left hand(he lost over half of his index finger), crushed his left foot and knee, broke his right wrist in many pieces, lacerated a long gash into his right leg, fractured his left orbit and sinus, miraculously he had no head, spinal or internal injuries even after the truck rolled twice and landed upside down on the guardrail. I had to take a leave from work(I work in ministry at a CPC in KY) and come to Indiana to take care of him and his 3 year old son who has a genetic disorder with special needs, his ex fiance left him in a mess with the baby, it’s been one thing after another, fighting for help with the medical people, his home is in foreclosure, people coming to repossess furniture his ex had purchased & not paid for, some days I just wanted to scream ENOUGH and I am not so sure I didn’t at some point. I have had to deal with my ex husband, his father, and I know I have let out more than one exasperated sigh throughout this and we are only 3 1/2 weeks into a 12 week or greater recuperation period but God has been faithful to send what was needed even when I had no idea where it was coming from and I have thanked Him over and over but I have also cried bitter tears over some of the things I have seen here. Changing the dressing on that mangled hand has been hard for me and I am a veteran ER nurse but when it’s your baby boy’s precious hand it really hits you. I KNOW it could be worse, I KNOW others have it worse and i shut myself up many times telling myself that but God doesn’t tell me to shut up, he doesn’t shut me up with platitudes or even scriptures at times, he is practical, he sends what we need, He has a friend send me a sweet Facebook message, He lets me know it’s okay to feel this way and that He is not easily offended by my frailty.This was what He sent me today, His message through you, thanks for being faithful to Him. God bless! ~Debbie
Praying for you and your husband, Alison. Sending you a huge hug!
You aren’t alone, Debbie! Even in this. Keep gluing your eyes on Jesus. Praying for you, friend.
I read of the life of each person here… and I am embarrassed for my health and meaningless whinings. Praying for all here and you Margaret… may His strength be ever present in each of you.
Sweet Melinda, your prayers mean the world.
Margaret,
Isn’t it just like God to put Internet in the works so we can pray for each other, connect ! Hearts are shared,,
tears of frustration catch us off guard, healing begins!! The glue which holds us together strengthens
Is prayer, isn’t that amazing! Powerful!
Oh Mae, we serve such a powerful God who continues to leave me wonderstruck by this sweet online community we have. Huge hug to you!
I have been sad because no extended family can make to my daughter’s wedding. Seeing All the different kinds of suffering here shows me again that we are all invited over and over to trust that in our pain we are not unloved, alone, and deserted. Triple negative on God leaving us alone in our brokenness and pain.
20 women in Lubbock Texas have become a close supportive sisterhood as we gathered to share ” Wonderstruck” and our lives the Fall. Thank you, Margaret, for writing of hope ; your words have blessed us.
Merry Christmas to you, Sharie! Wishing you a wonder-filled Christmas. Praying that your daughter’s wedding is a beautiful picture and celebration of how much Christ loves his bride!