The Most Inopportune Time

Whenever I feel anxious or need to let out a good cry, I take a hot bath or shower. For some reason, water has always been healing to me.

I remember a specific time I took a shower while pregnant with our little girl. I had just been laid off from my job and was 16 weeks pregnant. I remember starting at my stomach that had popped out and thought, “Why now?” It’s never an ideal time to be let go but this felt like a slap in the face. Pregnant, rising inflation, and unstable economy-all these thoughts weighed over me heavily as I felt the water and tears fall down my face.

As I stood there, soaking all the feelings in, my mind went to Mary. I thought of how I would have reacted if in her shoes and was told I was going to birth Jesus. A virgin. Not yet married. Young. Poor. It doesn’t make sense.

But she didn’t argue and fight with God. She took on a humble posture and stepped out in God’s purpose.

God’s timing is never ours. It certainly wasn’t mine when I had to wait until 35 to be married and then having my first baby at 37. And it wasn’t mine to be pregnant with our second and laid off.

Ironically, it seems as if God is the God of inopportune times. But I’ve learned that this is also when His best miracles come.When it doesn’t seem possible, when it doesn’t make sense.

Because after the miracle comes, it can only be attributed to Him. After the plan reveals itself, the glory can only be given to Him.

I don’t know for sure but I don’t think I would have started writing again had I not been laid off. I don’t think I would have had the time nor the energy. And writing has been one of the biggest blessings in my life since staying home with the kids full time.

While it looks like an inopportune time for you, it is anything but for God. He knows what we need to learn to trust Him-He knows what the next step holds.

If you’re like me, take shot shower or bath, let the tears full-but remember Mary. We can either kick and scream and not abide in Him or we can humbly submit to Him, remembering His power and stating, “Your Will, not mine.”

“Don’t be afraid, Mary, because God is very pleased with you. Listen! You will become pregnant and have a baby boy. You will name Him Jesus. He will be great. People will call Him the Son of the Most High,…He will rule over the people of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” ….“I am the Lord’s servant. Let this thing that you have said happen to me!” Luke 1: 30-38