It’s coming! I can always feel the hopeful anticipation as spring sneaks in with a few early surprises before its official arrival. Birds are chirping even before sunrise. I imagine they are like me, excited for their tree perches to bud with leaves and for my season of sitting on my front porch to begin. Trees are blooming, and the sun is rising earlier. Daffodils are popping up, and my heart rejoices for the new springing forth. While every season brings familiar delights, seasons also come to us in different ways at different times. The Creator always knows when the timing is right.

There are those moments in our lives when we know the timing is perfect. Whether it’s an answered prayer right when we need it or a friend inviting us for coffee when we thought we wanted to give up, we know God’s timing was perfect.

What do we do when our timing doesn’t match God’s timing?

Could it be that it’s not so much about when the time comes but when we notice what’s happening around us in the time of waiting?

Last month, I noticed my redbud trees had big buds, ready to blossom. They decided to bloom early this year. I remembered how the season was so different last year. Snow close to spring had gotten to the buds before they could bloom. Needless to say, my redbuds didn’t even bloom last year. Disappointed, I knew I would have to wait for another season.

This year, the buds seemed to look more vibrant. And when they bloomed, they exploded with color. I admire them every time they catch my eye. Even when it doesn’t happen in our timing, God’s timing brings beauty.

Perfect Timing

God’s timing is perfect. While the seasons may come and go differently in our lives, we can always find hope as we look to Him. Even in disappointment, we can move forward in hope, knowing that good things will come.

I think of Esther. I imagine she didn’t expect to become queen. But there was such a time as this.

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for a time as this?

Esther 4:14

God’s timing in our lives can bring far more than we can think or imagine. It’s when we release our grip on time and choose to embrace whatever the season looks like that we become hopefully content. It’s a contentment of peace and expectancy of what is to come and to enjoy the now, whatever it looks like.

Embrace the Different

Seasons will look different. If they were always the same, would we lose the wonder of what is to come?

The redbuds didn’t bloom last year, but they are exploding with blooms of color this year. And yes, they came early, but isn’t God’s timing always perfect?

Is there something you’re waiting for? In the season of waiting, what does God want to show you here and now? And when your waiting transpires into a result, will you embrace the outcome, no matter what it looks like?

It will look different as I enjoy sitting on my front porch this year. Since we had to say goodbye to her last spring, I won’t have my dog, Abby, squeezed behind my chair this time. Perhaps things will look different for you, too. Some small, some maybe big.

Whatever it looks like, I invite us to embrace God’s timing and enjoy what brings joy to us in every season, even if it’s the simplicity of blooms on a redbud tree.