Inspiration for this blog: Part 1

This blog is named A Little While—Heart Mender because of two encounters I've had with the Lord that I will never forget. I share these in the hope that they will be an encouragement to you.

The first was a poem that he gave me during some of the darkest hours following my divorce. I was one of millions who believed that this would never happen to me. I've always dreamed of being a wife and a mother. When I divorced in 2003, my world was shaken to the core. More than anything, I wanted to get back the life that I had envisioned, and God continually had to remind me to seek first the kingdom of God and all these things would be added unto me. He gave me this poem in April 2004 to give me hope during the wait.

“Endurance”
A little while and we’ll be done;
see, you no longer have to run.
Rest in me, your God and King,
your loving Father sure to bring

you so much more than you could know
on this side. But I will show
my outstretched arm, my glory here.
My words are true, so stop your fear.

You are blessed and my delight.
I’m pleased with you! And at the sight
of my awesome power beyond compare
my love and joy you two will share.

He will be your earthly love.
You two will serve my plan above.
And I, in turn, grant your desires—
a life of passion, hope, and fire,

a flame that dances, glows, and roars.
Two hearts and minds united soar
all to my glory—rest assured.
Faith, hope, and love—these three endure.

A Little While

When he first spoke these words into my spirit, I thought "a little while" meant just that...a little while. I vowed that with his help, I would remain single and celibate as I waited for him to deliver the godly husband he had promised; after all, I could wait a little while. As one year turned into two, into three, then into four, I was tempted to be discouraged, give up waiting on God's plan to come to fruition, and take action on my own. In response, I launched into several studies about what God has to say about waiting, his timing, seasons, and all sorts of other topics related to time. What I learned has forever altered the way that I look at things in the here and now, and I feel called to share those insights to help others who are in the same waiting mode and tempted to give up.

During times when I have been taunted with the notion that I will always be single, God reminds me of this poem. I can think of no better Match Maker than he and no better timing than his. If you are also waiting for your life's dreams to be fulfilled, be encouraged: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)."

This passage is familiar to many of us and often quoted, but if we really want to be free to enjoy all of those good plans—the hope and the future God has planned for us—we can't overlook the verses that follow: "'Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.' (Jeremiah 29:12-14, NIV, emphasis mine)"

We must seek him to find him. But the promise is this: When we seek Him, with all our hearts, we will find him and he will bring us back from whatever has been holding us captive. Don't be discouraged when it takes a little while to get there. The Lord is as much about the transformation of the journey as he is the destination.