Thriving in the “In Between”

Those who had the privilege to know my Dad, may remember that He was a planner. (Guess, I come by that same trait honestly!)

Long before the days of google maps, if a family vacation was in our future he would purchase one of those fold out paper maps and carefully highlight the route in yellow marker. Then taking out his small black notebook and mechanical pencil, he would add up the total number of miles we had to cover in order to reach our destination, take the number of days we had, and then divide it up so he could identify each stop along the way. Sometimes it was a campsite, sometimes it was the home of an old friend. If there were campsite fees, he would record those along with the other information in his precise engineer printing, in a small black notebook. In the same way, he would carefully calculate how many miles per gallon our car would get and how many times he would have to fill it; then divide it by the current price of gas to estimate the potential gas cost. That total, along with the cost of tolls would be carefully added to the notebook. From point A to point B there were seldom surprises~ unless it was the occasional flat tire or overheated engine. 

Throughout my life, I often tried to live my life in the same way Dad planned our trips. Oh, as a Christ follower, I’ll tell you that I totally believe God has a plan for my life. (Afterall, the verse printed on my high school graduation invitations was Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord…” ) Yet, despite this deep desire and my belief, my default has always been mapping things out. Be methodical. Always have a plan. Know what comes next. Identify goals and milestones.. Oh, and then ask God to bless my plan. 

Then, when the plan doesn’t materialize, there’s the battle with disappointment. In myself and in others who didn’t cooperate with my plan. (Didn’t matter whether they even knew my plan existed and they were a part of it, or not!) And, if I‘m truly being vulnerable here, sometimes I have even been angry at God for not coming through with my plan. As if the God of the Universe should relegate His perfect will to that of His created being. 

The last few years however, I’ve come to realize that when I become so locked into a plan, there’s seldom room in the margins for God to lead and guide. It’s during the ”in between” when I become unsettled because I have to wait. I have to trust. 

Psalms 143:8 (NIV)

 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Guess what else I’ve learned… His plans? WAY better than mine ever were!

The Bible recounts so many stories of people that had to trust the Lord during the “in between”. Joseph was sold into slavery; waiting years to see God’s purpose in using Him to save his family from famine. The Israelites wandered for 40 years in the desert, waiting and trusting for the Promised Land. Ruth depended on her husband to provide for her; then after his death had to trust God in a strange new land until a kinsman redeemer was provided for her. The Disciples watched Jesus die and were left in a state of shock, fear and sorrow as they waited for the next chapter. 

We can see God’s hand in these stories because we know the endings. But imagine what Joseph, the Israelites, Ruth and the disciples could have been feeling during the “in between”. Still, they chose to place their trust in a God who had proven himself faithful. 

When my Dad received his cancer diagnosis Doctors gave him approximately three months. God in His grace and mercy gave him seven years, but as each month and year passed because of the way the disease made him feel, his ability to “plan life” diminished. Long range plans were something of the past. Weekly and daily plans depended upon His strength and energy levels, or whether or not he had treatments or doctor’s appointments. Yet, watching Dad during this in between time he THRIVED!  

Dad would tell you that His trust was in Jesus and he wasn’t afraid of what was next. It was more than lip service though~ he lived like he believed it. Mornings would find him sitting at the table with Mom, listening to his audio Bible, then his day would begin. When he felt good he would catch a cup of coffee with his buddy, join Mom for errands, sit on the lawn and enjoy the sunshine and God’s creation around him, attend church, enjoy family time with his kids, grandkids and great-grandson, put on his favorite CD, talk a friend through a small repair, or archive family movies. He thrived during the in between! He didn’t know what was coming next, and that was okay. Because He knew Who did know! 

Friend, if you are in the midst of a season of “in between” I encourage you to seek God and put your trust in Jesus. It will take a leap of faith. It may feel unsettling at first. He has an amazing plan for every part of your life and He is always faithful!

For reflection: 

What is the ‘in between’ you are facing right now?  Are you trusting God in it? 

What do you need to release from your grasp to Him?