Waiting, Waiting, and More Waiting…

The issue of "waiting" appears to have struck a nerve with my readers. (I discussed it in two blog posts called "Practicing the Discipline of Waiting"  and "Waiting."

And I'm still waiting!

One of my readers, Donna, emailed me, saying, "Very excited for the possibility of All Though the Night being made into a movie. Was an excellent story line with interesting characters."

Yes, it is both exciting and a bit, well, I don't know what the proper word is to describe this situation. I now have five different possible film projects, and all of them are just, well, out there.

I have learned some intense lessons in patience, and the power of letting go, as a result of this past year, and the film work is certainly one component of this lesson. My aim right now is to do everything that is required, everything I have control over, on time and to the best of my ability. Then I am striving to learn the lesson of not merely waiting, but being content to let go and rest in faith.

I've been hearing from quite a few people who are also waiting, and I'd like to share their thoughts with you.

Best-selling author and all-around wonderful woman, Robin Gunn, has added her own wisdom to the issue of 'waiting'.

You've hit upon the true rhythm of what it means to be a writer — that oh-so familiar drumbeat of "hurry up and wait."

As I read your post I kept nodding my head. Yes, yes. I know what you're saying. So much happening and yet the day is half spent and so much is still suspended out there, waiting for another day, another answer, another decision. And yet I'm at home in this place of not knowing. Calm. Yes. It is a calm, isn't it?

I just pulled this favorite Milton quote out the other day from Paradise Lost. I'm sure it's a familiar one but here it is in all its ageless beauty.



On His Blindness

When I consider how my light is spent

Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,

And that one Talent which is death to hide

Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent

To serve therewith my Maker, and present

My true account, lest He returning chide,

"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"

I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent

That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need

Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best

Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state

Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,

And post o'er land and ocean without rest;

They also serve who only stand and wait."

Standing and waiting with you this week, my friend. Delighting in the calm.

Aloha.

Here is another lovely comment about 'Waiting', this one from Carolyn in Minneapolis:

Davis, the Lord bless you abundantly as you WAIT on Him. I'm not a very patient person by nature, so I don't ever find waiting easy, and I really feel I'm still in kindergarten in that respect. May the responses for you, when they come, be good and, above all, bring glory to the Lord we love and serve.

Here is yet another beautiful comment from a great writer, Jennifer King, about 'Waiting':

Davis, Thank you for posting this. It's true. The waiting as a writer never really goes away, and it is tough.

Joy, thank you for sharing this. Wow, you have quite a story to share. I am very sorry to hear of your daughter and the strength it took to walk through that difficult time.

And you are right, Joy. Davis has a wonderful way of encouraging writers. Because of Davis, I met Chip MacGregor, who soon after became my agent. And since, we wait on selling a novel… But it will come. I am very grateful.

Thank you for encouraging us with your stories.

Sandy has this to say about waiting:

Waiting can be so hard!!! I can completely understand what you have written. In the midst of waiting, there are often many unanswered questions & doubt can plague our mind. But what joy we receive when we see God's plans unfold!

Pastor Gary Gilmore had this to share about his own waiting times:

Waiting is equally as hard for a pastor. Will that person ever catch it? Will that family ever get it together? Will the worship ever ascend to the level it should? On and on, you keep pouring your heart out – and waiting for the breakthrough, any breakthrough. But even in the waiting, there is great joy. So 'rejoice, and again, I say, rejoice!'.

Of course, Davis is a great encourager. By reading his books, I would say that encouraging is more important to him than writing. And as Christ has been formed in him, he can't help but encourage. 'We comfort with the comfort whereby we are comforted.'

Thanks, Joy, for your fine piece. Thanks, Davis, for sharing!!

Jennifer Hamilton has had these beautiful thoughts to share on the issue of waiting:

Waiting has shadowed my every step since my childhood.

As a little one, I remember waiting to be old enough to cross the main street with my brothers and sister to play. I remember waiting to be old enough to sit at the adult's table during holiday meals and no longer have to merely be "seen and not heard." And I waited longer than most to experience that sense of belonging to someone, beyond those inside the walls of my home.

I waited, in fact, more than half my life for God to reveal Himself to me. When He finally did, He'd come in through such an unexpected entrance it turned my life upside down and utterly around. I was ready at that instant to take off with Him, turn the world upside-down too for Jesus. But God said, "Wait."

He then filled my womb four times and I loved motherhood, but I so wanted to sing with our worship team. He said, "Wait."

Later, I wanted to write fiction, but nothing ever seemed to materialize. I heard Him saying,"Just wait."

Then, when my close writing friends set their sails for the depths of publication, speaking engagements, book signings; I felt my heart beat slowing down. I could barely breathe I was so depressed. The rush I'd been feeling through writing seemed to leave, right along with them, and there I stood in the silence of being left behind and was waiting once again.

But when one is trained in the sometimes harsh discipline of waiting, that person eventually finds his home there, his greatest comfort there, his peace there. Waiting lends insight and saves from premature and false starts. In my waiting I've learned what I will need to avoid and what I definitely must pursue without being detoured. Had I not been so intimately acquainted with waiting, I would have made a fool of myself long ago. But waiting has proved to be a very good friend. And God used this waiting in order to spare me, soften me, and equip me.

Only recently have I sensed the hand that has been holding me still all these years begin to lift from the nape of my yearnings. Slowly, very slowly. And I hear Him whispering, "It's time to move ahead now. It's time to move ahead with everything I've been showing you and teaching you. It hasn't just been about the gifts and talents I've given you; it's more about your character. Your character must reflect My character."

Ironically, I'm finding I'm rather apprehensive about taking that first step now, because I know myself, my weaknesses, my propensities toward certain things. But I also know it's time to take that step.

And that's all it really is.

A step.

Then the next step.

And the next.

One step at a time, always waiting for God's "go ahead" for the step that will follow. And the moment I sense Him leaning in, and feel that warm breath of His Spirit on my ear and the strong impulse to wait, I will stand still and know that He is God and I am not.

"Wait," I'll hear Him say, and I'll know–because He's trained me to know–that it's for a good reason.

Sandy sent these lovely thoughts:

The richness of this post reverberates in my soul-your Florida storm mirrors my life right now.

Waiting that produces the conclusion "God IS in control" is so often hard to walk through, and yet His timing is perfect-"the minute hand as well as the hour hand must point the exact moment for action. When God delays, He is not inactive. He is getting ready His instruments, His is ripening our powers; and at the appointed moment we shall arise equal to our task."-Mrs. Cowman from Streams in the Desert.

Ahh, refining and education in God's School.