I love soup. Especially in the winter, on a cold winter night when it seems like no other food on the planet will do. I love trying new soup recipes, always searching for a new favorite, and I love, love, love, when I get to the end of a recipe and read these three glorious words: Let it simmer.
Let It Simmer. In other words, all the hard work is done, sit back, relax, the only thing you have to do now is wait and enjoy.
I’ve been doing a lot of waiting lately. Last Saturday, the due date of my third baby officially came and went. These are uncharted waters for me. My first baby came right on time. My second was two weeks early. I thought for sure, this one would follow suit, but that hasn’t been the case. Instead, she’s warm and cozy, curled up inside my belly, simmering like the finest soup.
Honestly, I don’t mind it so much. For 40 ½ weeks pregnant, I’m feeling great. My unborn blessing seems perfectly content. Friends and family have been incredibly supportive.
But what I’m finding most of all is that this time of waiting is an excellent reminder to wait, not just on this baby, but ultimately on God. Occasions like these that come along, disrupting our plans…what we thought would happen…are perfect reminders of the scant control we have.
These moments, days, or seasons of waiting are not to be wasted. They aren’t for worry, anxiety, or impatience. They aren’t for striving, frustration, fear, or doubt. Rather they are gifts, precious invitations to come and draw close to God.
My husband and I, we’ve done all we can do. We’ve walked the mall, made angels sing, and indulged in Mexican food. I’ve tried massages, trigger points, and raspberry tea. I’ve nested, packed, and readied anything and everything in sight. The hard work is done, the only thing we have to do now is wait and enjoy.
And what we get to enjoy is nothing short of God and His amazing goodness. When we choose to draw close to Him during seasons of waiting we get to enjoy peace that passes understanding. We get to enjoy the freedom that comes when we surrender our plans and trust the plan He has in mind.
Stonewall Jackson was once asked why he chose to fight with his troops on the front-lines rather than lead his soldiers from the more protected sections of the battlefield. In answer to this question he said,
“My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. […]that is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.”
I believe the same is true of waiting. Whatever it is we’re waiting for, a baby, a mate, test results from the doctor’s office. A new job, a house to sell, the mending of a relationship, God knows what He has planned for us. He has already fixed the appointed time for that for which we wait. We can neither hasten it nor delay it.
All we can do is faithfully wait. Do the work, put the ingredients together, then relax and enjoy.
Let it simmer. Find the peace, the freedom the goodness of God as He comforts, nourishes, and fills you up.
Like homemade soup in the dead of winter.
On the morning of February 19th Cabellea Wren was born and, for the record, the wait was totally worth it!
