By +Jeanne Takenaka @JeanneTakenaka
My Five Minute Friday prompt this week is—Ready. This largely unedited “rough draft” form of writing stretches this perfectionist, in the best of ways. I write for five minutes on a given topic. If you’re interested in learning more about 5-Minute Fridays, check out our hostess, Kate Motaung’s site. Or, click on the link at the bottom of this post. As you read my simpler Friday posts, I hope you’ll join in the conversation!
READY
I was ready.
I knew in the depths of my heart that I was ready to be a mother.
But my body contradicted my desires. Month after month yielded nothing in the way of family.
Sometimes what I think I’m ready for and what God knows I’m ready for are two different things. I may have thought I was ready for motherhood. And I may have been . . . on my terms.
As it turned out, the Lord had hubby and me wait for another five years before granting us the gift of parenthood—via adoption.
He knew when my husband was ready even to take that step. And it was years later than when I thought I was ready. When our hearts united in this desire, God gave it.
And oh, it’s been such a different ride than I ever anticipated. I haven’t been ready to deal with some of the issues children who are adopted walk through.
But God . . .
God has to prepare us—to make us ready—to walk the paths He’s ordained for us.
And, I’ve not found this “ready-ing” to be an easy thing. I’ve had to die to myself—my desires, my agenda—to learn to live the way God knows I must. To be the mom He wants me to be for our amazing boys.
Sometimes being ready comes in stages and via walking through difficult seasons.
Sometimes, we’re never quite ready for what the Lord allows into our lives. But, when we lean into Him, He equips us to walk those paths, holding His hand. Or sometimes fighting Him all the way.
When I’m most ready to walk in His paths, I find joy in the heartache, and reassurance in the dark days. And I find He’s walking with me through it all, readying me for the next step of the journey.
What about you? When have you thought you were ready for something and God withheld it from you? When have you seen God readying you for a new chapter in your life?
Kate Motaung FMF: Ready
***I’m guest posting over at Let’s Talk today. I’d love it if you stopped by!***
Jeanne Takenaka 