Our family is in a season of “hurry up and wait” right now.

We’ve done our part. We’ve put the leg work in. We’ve prayed about it. Now we’re just waiting…waiting on a big break…waiting on prayers to be answered.

And the longer we wait…the more doubt and fear creep in…trying to fill in the spaces where faith and trust belong.

Whenever we’re in a season like this, I always find myself questioning. I know God hears our prayers, but will He answer them the way we hope?

I think that little voice of doubt comes from the fact that I know God has NOT always answered my prayers the way I’ve wanted Him to in the past.

But the thing is…that’s not the way God works.

God is not some spiritual vending machine in the sky that we just drop a quarter into and out pop blessings like a bag of Fritos.

Yet, how many times do I treat Him that way?

How many times do I find myself standing there in front of that proverbial snack machine, down to my last quarter, pressing “A7” over and over again…only to watch that spiritual “bag of Fritos” get stuck?

And how many times do I resort to kicking and shaking the machine — trying to FORCE it to come out on my own terms??

Kind of reminds me of all those times back in middle school, when we’d stay after school for practice and then head to the vending machines for sustenance.

Some days my chips did get stuck. And though my hunger was real and it was warranted, I would have no other choice but to wait ‘til I got home to eat something.

But you know what?? When I finally did get home, 9 times out of 10, my mother would already be in the kitchen fixing my dinner before I even had a chance to ask — and a bag of Fritos ain’t got nothin’ on a home-cooked meal. ❤️

Our Heavenly Father is a lot like that too.

Blessings may not always pop out left and right like vending machine treats (even when we’ve honestly put in the time, money, and effort to receive them) — but keep the faith, because He’s already promised that He’s got something much better waiting for us at “Home.” ❤️

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – John 14:3

While we’re busy focusing on a lousy bag of Fritos — He’s already whipped up a four course meal and saved a place for us at His table:

“…Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15)

Trust God to answer your prayers in His way, and in His time — Because if we’re being honest…those vending machine snacks don’t hold any nutritional value anyway.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Until next time…

-PWAP