The In-Between

Have you ever stopped to think about how much time we spend waiting?

We wait for traffic, lines at the grocery store, and bedtime (#kiddingnotkidding). We wait for big things in life like the day we'll meet our spouse or get pregnant. We wait for God to answer our prayers, and we get it in our heads that He only answers when the waiting is over.

But what if we're missing the bigger picture? What if God has something beautiful for us IN the waiting?

I was in a bridal store today, looking for a formal dress, and I started thinking about what a fun season of life being engaged is. It's full of so much planning, anticipation, and excitement-- not unlike writing a story! And though being married is much greater than being engaged, there's something uniquely special about that season of a relationship, is there not?

One of my favorite Bethel songs, "Shepherd," has a line that says, "In the process, in the waiting, You're making melodies over me." Those words have really hit me lately as I've realized it's not DESPITE the waiting, or AFTER the waiting, but IN the waiting that God sings over us. If only we would stop rushing on toward the next goal long enough to hear that song! It's as if He is saying, "Take a moment away from life-- a moment of the in-between-- to simply be with Me."

What does God want to do with your in-between?

Maybe today, you're thinking if you could just get published, the waiting would finally end. But then comes waiting for book reviews, contest results, release days-- you name it! The waiting will always continue, though it will take different forms. 

We must learn to wait well.

I want to encourage you to find beauty in this season, whatever you're waiting on. Today's wait is unique to today. You'll never get another chance to sow into this particular season, so sow well! You'll be glad you did when you see the blooms.

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Ashley Clark writes romance with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.