Shared by Nadia Siswanto
What have you been learning lately?
I’ve been going through a desert season of my life, feeling discouraged and low on hope. One recent evening, the events of the day came rushing back to my memory and I had a sudden realization. Earlier that day, I had been surrounded by women friends from my community group and we had an amazing time, breaking bread, laughing and crying together. For many years, I had prayed for a solid community of Christian women friends in LA and it wasn’t until that moment that I realized that God had been faithful. I never expected that these women would be the answer to my prayers nor did I expect they would share my love for yummy food!
I’ve been seeing this pattern in my life, over and over: It seems that every good gift that I’ve received from God – usually in the form of significant people being brought into my life — has involved a long wait and the cultivation of patience. During the waiting period, I tend to ask God, Why does it have to take this long? Are You going to answer my prayer? In the thick of it when things get really hard, I start to lose hope that God may not answer my prayer after all. But time and time again, God would answer my prayer unexpectedly and His timing was always perfect. Furthermore, God’s gift has always been better than what I prayed for. When these people come into my life, I eventually realize and think to myself, “Wow, this is what I’ve been waiting for!
I believe God is teaching me patience, and that He’ll probably continue to do that for the rest of my life. When I think back to the past, I sense God saying, Look Nadia, I did that for you. Remember that I’m faithful and that I’m taking care of you. With my growing patience, I’m learning to be grateful for God’s gifts, to trust Him, and to remind myself of God’s faithfulness in the past so that I can have hope for the future and live in the present.
Nadia Siswanto is a psychotherapist in private practice with Cissy Brady-Rogers & Associates and at Monte Nido, a residential treatment center for eating disorders. She was born in Indonesia and immigrated with her family to the US when she was 3 months old. She is passionate about helping girls and women find healing and discover and embrace their authentic whole selves. Nadia can be contacted by email at nadia.siswanto@gmail.com.
Interviewed by Joy Wong
Thanks for sharing your story Nadia. It’s a pleasure to journey with you as you hope for the future while living in the present! A good reminder for me today.
Likewise, Cissy. I’m grateful our paths have continued to cross over the years and that we can mutually encourage each other to have hope for the future and live in the present moment.
Nadia, thank you. What a beautiful, beautiful woman you are. Grace & peace to you.
KJ, you are very welcome! What an honor it is to have the opportunity to share our life stories with others–I believe that in the telling of our stories healing occurs. Thank you for the kind words and for encouraging my soul! Strength & peace to you, my dear sister!
Thought I’d share this May 17 devo from Streams in the Desert. So pertinent!
Waiting! Yes, patiently waiting!
Till next steps made plain will be;
To hear, with the inner hearing,
The Voice that will call for me.
Waiting! Yes, hopefully waiting!
With hope that need not grow dim;
The Master is pledged to guide me,
And my eyes are unto Him.
Waiting! Expectantly waiting!
Perhaps it may be today
The Master will quickly open
The gate to my future way.
Waiting! Yes, waiting! Still waiting!
I know, though I’ve waited long,
That, while He witholds His purpose,
His waiting cannot be wrong.
Waiting! Yes, waiting! Still waiting!
The Master will not be late:
Since He knows that I am waiting
For Him to unlatch the gate.
Thanks for posting this, Nadia! I’m also in a “waiting period” in my life right now, so this is a good reminder for me to be patient (even when everything in me wants to move forward!). I’m sure you know the feeling:)