The state of things....

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Third cup of coffee and yet I could crawl back in bed and go right to sleep. The reality of having a new baby still has not set in and I am certain when I return to work April 12 it is not going to change overnight. Being tired is part of life for awhile. I am counting the days I have left on maternity leave more so now than 2 weeks ago because I can't believe how little of it is left. Ryan is unemployed and we have no real job offers for him yet. He has a lot of prospects, but once again we are in that familiar zone of waiting. Waiting on God. I find as I get older I am really, really bad at this patience thing. For several days now, well, let's be honest, for several weeks I have been dealing with a lot of anger and just plain frustration with our situation and with God. I find myself questioning and crying out to Him more than I am finding moments of peace and reassurance. I know what His Word says, I have heard any number of reminders from family and friends of what God will do for us, what we need to do in the waiting, oh and my favorite, "Just the right job is going to come along in His perfect timing." I am not weathering this storm very well it seems. I am trying very hard to keep a pleasant face and some kind of positive outlook on life but the stress, anxiety and my lack of sleep I am sure all have a huge impact on my physical state which undoubtedly is effecting my spiritual state. My humanity is crying out, "Why God! What good reason is there for this to happen to us right now?! Where is your purpose in this?!" I don't understand. I do not think there is a good reason for this to have happened. There is just too much that can be seen and felt right now, these past few months that makes me sick, makes me hurt, and just all out leaves me very disappointed in how the people, how God's church is behaving. I honestly am at a point that I am pondering not going back to church. Maybe I need a season away, just to let God work on me in isolation, strip away all that is of no use, all that is cluttering my ability to worship and obey Him with complete abandon. I was reminded today in my devotional of when Jesus told the disciples to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, and that they'd be able to catch the fish (John 21:6). What the author pointed out is, it wasn't about their catching any fish, it was their act of obedience to Him by simply casting their nets that mattered. I picture myself on that boat, and I am not sure that I would have the strength right now to even cast that net. I have had moments many times in my life in which I have thrown that net out with all of my strength and faith, standing on the edge of that boat, watching and waiting with great expectation and enthusiasm, but right now....I feel like I am just sitting in the boat and can't even lift the net. I read something in David Crowder's book, "Praise Habit" this morning about how he came to a place where he could no longer find God in the places he had before. I know He is there, but I think I have some things that are clouding the distance between us and making it more difficult for me to find Him. I know I'll find Him, I know He is there, just waiting to show Himself in a very unexpected way.

Comments

Ashley said…
Hi Andrea! My name is Ashley, I'm a worship leader at a church in California. I was looking up an old hymn today (I Need Thee Every Hour) and somehow, one of the hits that came up on google was your blog. I just wanted to tell you that it so blessed me to read just a small piece of your writings and see your faith and reliance on Jesus! He is truly our awesome God. I will pray for you and Ryan in this season of waiting. Remember that God has not forgotten you, be encouraged, He loves you more than you know. Blessings.
March 30, 2011 at 1:42 PM
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