Waiting for my Best Yes

(February 12, 2016)

When you’re on your way to the airport for vacation, but the words and reflections literally just flow into paper. So I had to share…

To prepare me for his best, God has given me practice to wait. For 8 years, I’ve been a late bloomer of God revealing things to me. Here’s a short timeline of examples:

[2008] — Didn’t decide on attending Georgia State until July, one month before starting college.

[2012] — Didn’t get my full time job offer until 1 day after graduation. And while everyone asked me the million dollar question the semester I was graduating “What are you doing after graduation?,” I said with confidence “Not sure exactly but I know it’ll work out.” // The day I needed to choose between a temporary 6 month position with less pay or a permanent position, I woke up in the wee hours of the morning and was confident in choosing the temporary position, against the suggestion of my mentors and family.

[2013] — The temporary position working in the International Student & Scholar Services Office (ISSS) was supposed to be until June. But I couldn’t find a job opportunity afterwards so Heather, Director of ISSS, let me stay to be a cultural tour guide for the Summer Institute Students. // In July, I got the Admissions Counselor position (the job I was praying for while working at ISSS) that started on August 1st. My last day at the international office was July 31st.

[2015] — Found out about being accepted as a Fulbright grantee 3 months before leaving for Korea.

[Present // Now]

I’m waiting for that God fearing relationship with someone of the opposite sex.

But God has also shown me one year in advance a plan to focus on — to obtain my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education starting in summer 2015. And while I wait to start the Master’s degree next year, he’s preparing my heart to do things personally that help empower others (more details to come in the future as I pray about it).

I’ve practiced patience with faith until the very end, and right before I want to give up, God shows up. He knew I could handle the wait. He’s asking me to still be patient in relationships so he can show me the “Best Yes” decision instead of second best for me. I’ve NEVER been this content being single but after a really hard year of God clearly closing doors I couldn’t close myself; I couldn’t let go so he came in, God, and released those friendships from me.

I’m waiting for my best yes, not when everyone is choosing and making decisions, but when God wants to show me and reveal it to me.

So if you’re in a season of waiting, please hold on. And don’t settle for second best. Keep praying, keep working, keep searching, and keep moving hard. I know what’s it like to wait on things when everything else seems to figure it out. Let me tell you something — no one has it all figured out. We all go through insecurities of next steps, what’s to come, and who to date/not to date. But trust the process you’re going through because it’ll make for a great story of holding on when others wanted to give up.

All of these reflections have come while reading a book I highly recommend. It’s called “The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands” by Lysa Terkeurst. It’s been challenging me to think critically about how to let go of things that simply fill time to make room for the passions and things God has called me to, instead of just doing things to please other people.