The Wrong Season: Wednesday in the Word (a day late)
We’re in the wrong season to reveal the cover of a Christmas book, or to even think about Christmas. At least, that’s what my husband would say. After Thanksgiving and until January first are acceptable times for talk of all things Christmas. Not a moment earlier.
And yet, here we are. I have, along with my three partners in writing, received our new book cover. It’s cute. Fun. And it’s a Christmas cover. I’m guessing not many people are feeling Christmas-y in mid-May. Most are thinking about Mother’s Day, graduations, and maybe even Memorial Day weekend coming up.
We’re in the wrong season (according to most, though I am not one of them) to rave about our new cover in excitement. For now, you get a teaser. We won’t make you wait long. After all, Christmas in July is a real thing. We can post all we want about the cover in July, and no one can say a word. I mean, die-hards like my husband will have something to say about it. But socially, it’s perfectly acceptable.
I’m glad I’ve seen my new cover, and I’m excited to show it. But, for now, I wait.
Waiting isn’t my strong point. I need to work on that.
It’s hard enough with something like a book cover. When the big things of life (the ones that really change things for better or worse) are hovering on the outskirts of my days, then it gets really hard.
There are things my heart longs for more than I can even put into words. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. The things you want to see happen in your life or the lives of those you love. Or maybe it’s clear direction you need, but it feels just beyond your grasp.
We pray about these things. God is the one to provide whether it’s our needs, dreams, or direction. We know that. So, we take Him the heavy things of our hearts. Trusting Him with them, we wait. We wait for direction, strength, provision, or whatever else the situation demands.
Waiting is hard. It’s like we’re in spring, and God’s best can only be found in winter. At times, the enemy tempts us with doubt. Maybe God isn’t listening or doesn’t care. Perhaps we fear some long-since forgiven sin keeps us from being worthy of His answer.
His intervention is so necessary. The situation, from our perspective, is urgent. Dire even. The answer must come now. Only it doesn’t.
The enemy may tempt us to take matters into our own hands. Don’t. It never works out well.
Waiting on God’s timing is the best, the only true answer. We may feel God has the wrong season set aside for the answer we seek. But God’s timing is never wrong.
So, we “wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14
We cling to the truth that if we don’t “become weary in doing good … at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
We submit all our ways to Him knowing He “will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
When we’re tired, we turn to Him knowing “they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31
And when we struggle knowing it’s the wrong season for God’s answers, we look to the promises in His word and know “he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23.
Today may be the wrong season for our answers, but God has heard our prayers. Today He may be telling us to wait, but He will answer when the season is right.
The Conversation
It’s never too early to talk about and read Christmas books!
I can’t wait to see the full cover of your book.
I can’t wait to share it with everyone. The more I see it, the more I love it!
God’s plans are always perfect. It’s just hard to live in that wait sometimes.
So true. Why is it we humans have such a hard time waiting?