I’ve been thinking a great deal recently about the time of my life before I was married. I was in my early 20s living at my parents’ house, going to college and working, hanging out with friends at the Newman Center (Catholic center on campus), just “waiting” for the rest of my life to start. I’d known for many years that I wanted to get married and have a family. At the time though, there weren’t many dating “prospects” being offered to me. I struggled with a lot of indecision about school and what I would do with my life if I never married. Honestly, I felt heartbroken that I might never marry. It came to a head one day as I was driving to work. I finally told the Lord that if He wanted me to be single…Fine, I’d be single for Him and happy. I felt a lot of peace after that “giving over” to God – fully trusting that His will would be sufficient for me. It wasn’t long after this incidence that I met Michael and the rest is history, so to speak.

I guess I’m writing this reflection for my college age friends and family. We so often times in life, especially at that early/mid twenties age, can’t see where life is taking us. This is the golden opportunity to place each day into the hands of the One who loves us the most, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Trust that he has a perfect plan for you, whether we “like” it now or not. But while we are waiting for “life” to start, walk with the Lord daily. Pray, go to church, serve others around you. Give of yourself and the irony is that you’ll realize your “life” really is happening every day. This practice of waiting on the Lord will also set a beautiful precedent for you in later life.

As a 30-something married mother of four now, I can further see that this “waiting” happens throughout our lives. Even after we were married, the long expected family didn’t happen overnight. We had to wait a full four years – with ever so many tears – for that first baby to be born into our family. Even now with a full house of 4 very busy little people, sometimes I feel like I’m stagnant at this time doing the same tasks over and over. BUT the reality is we are all racing toward the finish line. I pray to be found worthy at the end of the race. I pray the same for you.

I think this song, While I’m Waiting by John Waller, says it all. Blessings to you!