When is it gonna be "my" turn?

I frequently hear this question…or rather statement in my home: “No! It’s MY turn!”

Most assuredly it’s soon followed by a huge bought of tears, throwing of Wii remotes, barbie dolls, make up and the such! And then the momma must enter the room to calm hearts, restore relationships and assure them that everyone WILL get a turn.

Girls.

Girls?

Women?

While on this prayer retreat I went on last week, a dear friend and what I would consider a mentor named Donna (she’s so gonna kick my booty for saying her name on here!) said this:

“I’m done saying “no”, “still waiting” or even “hopefully soon”. I’ve learned to say ‘Not Yet’.”

Ex from her life: “God hasn’t sold our house…..yet.”

Well, I’ve reflected on that thought a great deal. And, I like it. I thought it’s a great way to think about our prayers that sometimes feel like they are unanswered. Serioulsy, could we all use a “not yet” statement in our prayer lives! Amen or Oh me?

Amen!

Lately, I’ve felt like life just isn’t running as fast in the direction I would like it to. I mean…..I had plans. For our house to sell, for the girls to stay at their school, to be a stay at home mom and even to start writing my book and the ministry I was going to be in.

I……had……plans.

And these were some godly plans. And God was gonna answer these prayers. And I just knew it. Because I believed…….and I just knew that God wanted me to prosper….and I just KNEW that God would hear my heart’s desires.

Well, one by one all of those “not yet” prayers turned to “no’s” in my life. I’ve fought Him, Kicked my feet in a tantrum (for real), Cried endless tears and……Lord have mercy…..I have even said: “WHEN IS IT GONNA BE MY TURN???”

But God.

Period.

Right! But God period.

But God always has something else up his sleeve! He is a mighty crafty God wouldn’t you agree?Sometimes He’s got to shake the ground below us to wake us up and hear what He’s got to say! And we can either fall down to our misery screaming and kicking so loud we can’t hear a word He’s saying…..or….we can stand up, brush ourselves off, act like a lady and listen to what our God is saying.

I’m learning how to act like a “big girl”. Oh yes……you read that right. The big girl rather than the little three year old diva rolling around throwing a hissy fit on the floor, quite very much like the one next to me now.

In Angela Thomas’s book “When Wallflowers Dance” (which btw is the next bible study I’m teaching if you wanna come!), she touches base on this “Big girl” concept.

Donna G., if you read this you will love this! One of the chapter sub-titles in Angela’s book is “Not Yet“. And yes, I TOTALLY read it today!

I give you this glimpse from Angela’s words:

“The mature woman knows how to wait on God. She has learned through tears, disappointments, and even rejection that sometimes…it’s just not your turn. That doesn’t mean it won’t ever be. Or you are not qualified. Or that you’ve completely gone the wrong way……..The mature woman is waiting with integrity. Not cutting in line with her friend who is father ahead. Not cheating for advantage. Not bargaining or bribing. Just waiting until she is called.”

I feel so strongly that as women we need to know this!! We need to know that it’s ok for it not to be our turn! It’s ok to take a dance and sit it out to watch and support others! It’s ok if life isn’t turning out the way we prayed, believed and planned! It’s ok to not be having the time of our lives!

There is a quote from Oswald Chambers that says this:

“He works where He sends us to wait.”

I don’t know about you, but I know God just showed up and He:

Calmed hearts. Restored Relationships and assured me……you WILL have a turn just not yet.

Not taking one step without Him,
~Nicki

*PS-Welcome to this blog if you are new! I can’t wait to see what your blogs are all about! =)