De Scott Evans, Grandfather’s Clock
What a lovely picture. The light in it is caught so beautifully, and I can just imagine the sound this lady’s dress makes as she swooshes down her hallways.
Have you ever watched a grandfather clock as this little one does here? The pendulum swings back and forth, causing gears inside to move … tick, tock; tick, tock. I wonder sometimes if we’ve lost something (else) with our digital timepieces–the ability to watch time go by, physically. The workings of a clock like that are almost mesmerizing. Watching a number “magically” change on your wrist or in your hand doesn’t quite have the same effect!
How often I’ve felt like this girl, watching the workings of the clock and wondering at the passage of time. I wonder if she’s in a hurry for the bells to ring, denoting the passing of another hour. She’s got her hands clasped as if in anticipation. Perhaps she’s waiting for her father to return home, or anxious to leave on her own trip. Maybe she’s just ready for dinner! She watches the time go by with every swing of that shiny pendulum. And yet … no noise! Why isn’t the bell ringing?
She sees the movement, but that’s all she can see. She’s too short to look at the actual clock face! And in that, she’s a bit like us. Because while she’s in a hurry, anxious for the chimes to ring, watching moments go ticking by … she can’t see what time it actually is.
“The Bible is our direct source for perceiving God’s attributes, noticing how He dealt with people in the past, and learning what is important to Him. Our whole Christian life isn’t primarily about being good or doing the right thing. Our lives are to be about a personal relationship–a love cultivated between Creator and creature, Father and child.
By spending time in His Word, we come to know His heart. God longs for relationship with us and honors those who love Him and search for Him. Reading Scripture in such a way as to know Him better and look for clues as to how He interacts with human beings has given me a better understanding of how to please Him. I have learned how He deals with others so that I can better understand His work in my own life.
For instance, as I read and ponder the stories of the Bible–the lives of Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Joseph, and David, I see that they all had to wait for many years to see their promise from God fulfilled. It gives me a pattern for being mature. Apparently some things take a long time. I can see that God’s timing and ways in the lives of those He has used are different than the ways of this world. In this world, I want immediate gratification–Answer my prayer now! Yet I see that those who were godly had to wait in faith for years, trusting that they would see the faithful hand of God in His time.” ~from The Mom Walk
Ahhhh … waiting. It is common to God’s people. “There is nothing new under the sun,” as Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us.
Will I rest in His timing? Knowing that the clock really belongs to my Father, and He can see what time it is, though all I see is the moving of gears? Will I trust that He knows all and that when the time has fully arrived, He will surely cause the song to ring out, heralding the change I’m eagerly awaiting?
Spending time in His word reminds me that He will be faithful, though I wait long.
Are you waiting, too, today?
I’ve been waiting my whole life….to ‘arrive’ at that pivotal point where i full grasp and have the full understanding of His awesome love, grace and mercy. While I am able to grab onto small inklings at times…I find the sinful nature of my heart pushes me back ….but, the journey begins again….the journey of growing….each day and in that waiting…I find there’s a beauty….and a commonality with all around me….thank you for this beautiful post….more to ponder…more to consider…more time to wait, receive and then share….
I am definitely in a waiting period right now. I think something is about to happen, but it has not actually happened yet. I am less impatient than I used to be during such a period but am still anxious to get to “that point.” Growing, growing…
So beautiful, thank you. After deciding we were done growing our family and looking forward to the next season that doesn’t involve sleepless nights and endless diapers, we just found out that God has different plans.
Learning to trust His timing and be patient!
This is such a lovely thought on the timing of God.
As I am in an intense wating period right now I found these words ringing true and being used in my spirit as yet another way of confirming that God is faithful and His promises are true.
Drawing close to God and trusting His timing and His ways does indeed cause us to know Him and love Him more. He is perfect and wise, and He only gives good. <3
Sweet Sweet Sally,
I needed to hear this today. I am waiting. We are waiting as a family, to move into a home that God has planned for us in our new land.
I aslo needed the encouragement to be in the Word to meet with the Lord. This weekend there are mulitiple women’s events happening and I am unable to participate in any of them. I’m feeling kind of “left out” of what God is doing.
Going to seek one on one time with Him.
Much much love,
Michelle
Dearst Sally,
I love this post. You captizated my imagination. Today I tried something I have heard you do for so long. I went to a beautiful hotel lobby alone bought a cup of coffee and sat with my thoughts. It was so much fun and I felt all grown up. Which makes me giggle. It kinda of felt like wearing your mothers pearls or something. I’m 34 married and have two kids, homeschool and all that. But I never feel grown up:) Thank you Sally for teaching me how to cultivate my heart. I think I have more to offer my family this week.
About waiting……. today I was pondering a life more simple, not waiting for the next big whatever…. today I was wondering how to enjoy the daily stuff. The tic toc, tic toc kind of stuff? It could be really fun to get caught up in the tic toc , then be totally surprised and delighted when the hour changes.
Still pondering……..
love you Sally and thanks for taking care of my beloved sister Stacy in your home this week. Can’t wait for her to get home and tell all about it. I always get filled up by her after she has been in yours and God’s presence.
Great post, Sally! There is this song…Find Me in the River by Delirious?…and it says “…in the River I will wait…” I love that and need to be remind to just rest peacefully in the flow of the Lord’s presence…sometimes it flows hard and sometimes it’s just a trickle, but if I’m faithful to STAY there the Lord is going to bless me with His direction and answers…
I love that song!!
Here is the song if you are interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OmV3B414sU
Psalm 31:15 My times are in Your hands.
This verse has helped me trust Him through so. much. waiting. SO MUCH. He is faithful though, and He is IN those moments of waiting. We never have to wait to experience Him – His whispered invitations to us in the midst of the seasons of pain or trial or joy…. He is waiting to encounter us IN every moment of our waiting.
Love this post, Sally, and LOVE that picture. So profound.