Walking Out a Slow Miracle

When we're hoping and believing for a situation in our lives to change--maybe even hoping for a miracle--it helps to understand the sometimes achingly slow process.

The truth is, miracles are often crock-pot slow, and if you're anything like me, you'd prefer it can-opener quick. I'm the absolute queen of wanting it yesterday, but I have learned that God's way, even though it feels like slow motion, is far better than anything I can manipulate or force, and the only way that brings peace and lasting change.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. (Isaiah 55:8)

While waiting is not my favorite thing, I've discovered a few things that have helped. Here are 3 tips to help you wait better:

Don't Keep Lifting the Lid - "Touch the crock-pot lid and die!" may or may not be something you'll hear in the vicinity of my kitchen. Why? Because every time the lid goes up, it adds 15 minutes to the cooking time. It interferes with the entire crock-pot process. How many times do we interfere with God's plans by trying to peek under the lid and figure out what's going on? When we can't keep our hands off of God's work-in-progress, we're essentially telling Him we don't care for His timing, and that perhaps we can do it better. And we become a hindrance to His plan that may unintentionally yet ultimately prolong our wait.

Let it Go - Crock-pots are designed to work without fussing. We just dump in our ingredients, turn it on, and go. I can be gone all day and come home to a fragrant house! The anticipation of an already-waiting meal makes me smile all day long. But once we've dumped our cares and concerns to the Lord, do we trust Him to keep things simmering? Are we free to go out and focus on other things, knowing that He is at work? And are we smiling all day, knowing good things are in store? (Ouch!)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Don't Unplug - Imagine arriving home from work to a cold, raw meal in your crock-pot, simply because you forgot to plug it in. (Not that this has ever happened to me...) We can't disconnect from God and expect to have the strength to endure the wait. He is our source. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Including waiting (with a good attitude) for our miracle to unfold.

Slow cookers unite! There are countless crock-pot miracles simmering in the waiting hearts of women across America. By His grace, we will continue to believe. And we will wait well.