One day while still in Chicago and rinsing out my sink for the 100th time that day, I remember a peaceful wave coming over me and leaving me with a contentment in knowing that I was going to be given the time to do what was starting to sprout in my heart.  I had found myself in a rush wanting to figure it out “yesterday” and wanting all of the answers no later than tomorrow. 

It was pretty obvious what my “daily” purpose was with a 9, 7, and 4 year old at home. But what was I supposed to do with this longing for that other purpose I was being drawn toward?  Are you feeling rushed and anxious to figure it all out yesterday, too? Are you feeling drawn toward something?

 As much as I wanted to be able to describe that deep-rooted longing then and there, it became apparent to me that I would not learn it until the bus had traveled a bit further down the road.

 I look back now and know that while I was getting my kiddos ready for school, God was getting me ready for that deep-rooted longing that I couldn’t quite name and that it was on his timetable and not mine.   During that momentous dishwashing event, I realized I would be given enough time but only when the time was right.  I clung to the truth I had learned: what God authors, He will complete.  So I scrubbed away and let the stress of being in a rush wash down the drain that day. 

What truth do you need to cling to?  What needs to be washed down the drain? What do you need to be learning while you wait?

The stress did drain away but the desire didn’t.  Flash forward to my back porch in Brentwood.

One day I felt a major trigger from my head to my toes telling me that I should start teaching instead of always being the one taught.  Excitedly, but with a very nervous ache, I shared my epiphany with my then-work-at-home hubby.

His reply? “You mean women are going to come to our house and where am I supposed to work?”

 Instead of convincing him to do what I wanted, I agreed that, “Yeah, it probably wouldn’t work.”

 I think I was relieved too because I wasn’t quite as ready as I thought.  Only later did it became clear there were other pieces at play.  For one, there were still miles I needed to travel before I could be effective, and secondly, my husband needed to get used to this person that was impersonating his wife.  

 A year later, that nervous ache became “I’m ready to do it” with an “I am woman, hear me roar” attitude.  And guess what?  This time when I approached my hubby with the same question his response was, “Sure, I can go to the library and work when they come over.”  It was definitely one of those pick-me-up-from-the-floor moments.

Who in your life is a part of your time table?  What gets that ole’ Helen Reddy anthem playing in your head?

 So what’s the point of this peek into my closet?  As I’ve said before, I don’t think my experience was meant solely to just frustrate me and cause me a lot of hand wringing.  No, my soul hope is that if not a few maybe one person reading this would feel a glimmer of hope that her sands of the hour glass will not run out a minute before they’re supposed to and that the desires of her heart will be revealed if she seeks them out.

 And last but not least, as in everything , timing is of the utmost importance and not just yours but for those around you.  My hope for you and myself is to remember to take a deep breath, look for clarity in the dirty dishwater and trust in the true giver of time.

 If we remember to get on the bus, our mission trip of life will take us exactly to the right place at just the right time.

Enjoy the journey.

Amy Freese is a professional life coach, motivational speaker and Brentwood mom. Contact her at amy@freeser.net or visit her website at www.amyfreese.com.