Have you ever wondered, sitting across from a stranger on a train or at a coffeeshop, what is it that holds them together amidst all the challenges that they may be facing? 

For a period of time, I kept seeing videos and ads for “weighted blankets” on my news feeds. These are blankets that supposedly offer better sleep and stress relief, through “deep pressure” that makes you feel like you’re being hugged or swaddled.

It all works to make us feel more secure.

And “secure” certainly sounds nice to my friends and I, given that we’re all in seasons of waiting.

In such a time as this, songs about hard-going, wintry seasons resonate deeply with us. The themes of waiting, purpose and the promise of eventual growth was (and still is) an encouragement we were glad to receive.

But even the concept of a promise seems like a funny thing. Who promised us anything?

Promise (noun): A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen. 

And I wonder if nature isn’t premised on promises. The daily sun and the flowers that bloom in season – aren’t these fulfilled promises? The sureness of dawn and spring.

Still, sometimes it feels like we don’t even have time to wait.

It’s go, go, go if we don’t want to fall behind or miss out. Can you imagine a flower – or a caterpillar – thinking that?

Having to wait can feel like something’s gone wrong in a culture which prizes efficiency. But the act and necessity of waiting is embedded in nature and waiting doesn’t mean doing nothing.

What we do in each season affects the next. Diligence in the present season is always required – we need it in every season. 

There is a promise for anyone whose heart is turned towards God – He works all things for our good. 

Just think about laundry and dishes, they’re simply quite inescapable. In times of crisis, practical help may present itself as good friends offering to clean our homes or make our meals. Laundry and dishes still have to be done.

But it is through such “annoyances” that we learn a beautiful (but no less painful) lesson that life goes on. These annoying routines we dread in good times can remind us in difficult times that everything is going to be okay.

Dirty laundry and dishes? And friends who would do them for us in times of need? Both are expressions of sheer grace.

There’s a whole lot that goes on in every season of our lives if we remember that there’s a promise to be discovered beneath the rhythms of life.

The cycles through winter and spring, heartache and celebration. That’s life – not monotony.

So back to our earlier question: Who promised us anything?

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

There is a promise for anyone who is called according to His purpose – He works all things for our good. That’s a worthwhile promise to hold on to whether in the dead of winter or on the brightest summer day. 

If we would place our lives into the hands of God, we can be sure that especially in seasons of waiting, we are best positioned to anticipate goodness. Because it’s right ahead. 

God writes a better story than we dare desire for ourselves.

So between you and me,  on those days when your mind won’t let you stop thinking of all the ways everything has gone wrong, let’s pull out this truth that our best days are not behind us, but always in front of us.

Why? Because God has promised.

“Whether you fully comprehend it or not, God is loyally committed to His work within you. He is the master architect and He knows the exact timing and pace of what is perfect for you. So I encourage you to rest in His providence and become acquainted with the treasure to be found within “the wait”. Be diligent with your current here and now, and all your tomorrows will arrive as divinely purposed.” (Bobbie Houston)