17 comments

Lina Abujamra

Looking for Big Things

Posted on 11.16.12 by Lina Abujamra | Twitter: @LinaMay

I live in a town where nothing ever really happens.

Kids go to school in the morning. They gather at the local park for soccer games on Sundays. Families go for walks in the neighborhood on warm summer nights. The smell of barbeque permeates the air on the weekends. People work hard every day. And local businesses eke out a living year after year.

I live a life where nothing ever really happens.

I get up in the morning and read my Bible. I run. I try to formulate my thoughts for another blog post. I go to lunch with a friend. I host an occasional party. I trim trees, water plants, and once in a while I cook. I take my nephews out to the local ice cream shop. And once a year I go on a date.

It can be monotonous. It can be discouraging. I want big things in my life and I want them now.

So I find myself trying to force them to happen. Like when I got engaged and then broke it off.

Or, I try to manipulate God into making things happen. I pray.

When He delays I threaten. I pout. I sink in self-pity.

Then I beg. A lot.

Finally I listen.

“He makes everything beautiful in His time.” (Ecc. 3:11)

I’m learning to trust God in the monotony of life.

I’m learning that my heart’s yearning for big things isn’t always from God.

I’m learning that behind every delay and every pause is a God who loves me.

I’m learning that His pleasure is in my faithful obedience and joyful attitude even when every one of my self-centered expectations remains unfulfilled.

And that’s a very big thing.

Comments

  1. That's a lovely thought. and encouraging too.
    posted by JaysJose
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 6:44 am
  2. Amen! I forwarded it to a friend who might be encouraged by that!
    posted by meta
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 8:26 am
  3. This made something come to mind that I have been begging God for more than listening...thanks!
    posted by Dawn
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 8:47 am
  4. Thank you for re-re-re-reminding me that the CEO of the Kingdom of God is not me.

    Michele
    posted by Michele Archambault
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 9:30 am
  5. This is just what I needed to be reminded of this morning - thank-you Lina

    Sometimes the monotonous life does the same thing to me and I end up concentrating on the negatives instead of praising God for the daily blessings I receive. God is faithful and we do need to count our blessings every day.
    posted by cindy
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 9:49 am
  6. There are so many days when I feel just like this. Thanks for the reminder that I am not alone, and that God has both of us where He wants us for this season and this time.
    http://bethholmes.wordpress.com
    posted by Beth
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 10:22 am
  7. Hi Lina~
    Thank-you so much for you post. I am constantly praying that God fills me with contentment and am continuously amazed how He provides for all my needs in ways I could have never fathomed.
    Great words of encouragement!!!
    http://annsanalysis.blogspot.com
    posted by Ann
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 11:40 am
  8. Amen! Sometimes I feel that way too. But God does always work in His timing as so many people tell me and I often see that reflected back to me that He works in His time not our timing.
    posted by Meghan Haaker
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 1:08 pm
  9. That is amazing! You are right, God wants our faithful heart...that is what He is after. I love the scripture verse that "He makes all things beautiful in His time"....keep on being faithful, God will reward in due time! Would love for you to check out my blog post from Thursday http:''iwouldnttradenothingformyjourneynow.blogpsot/2012/11/who-can-help-us-now.html and if blessed would love for you to follow along through the GFC link on the left sidebar...
    http://iwouldnttradenothingformyjourneynow.blogspot.com/
    posted by regina sullivan
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 1:43 pm
  10. I think wanting "big" things to happen is more evidence of my own ego mania than anything. It's misplaced ambition. We should want God's desires. One of the "big" things that happened to me resulted in moving across the country and spending the following eighteen months depressed. When we mean "big" we usually mean something to attract the praise of men.
    posted by KLS
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 4:58 pm
  11. This was precisely what I needed to hear today. Thank you so much for sharing!
    posted by Lauren
    on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 5:25 pm
  12. Just like ANYTHING ELSE, when we have to go without...have to work for something...When we DO get that thing (Big or little) , IT IS MORE VALUABLE to us!!!!!!!!!! :) We TEASURE IT!!!!! TAKE CARE OF IT!!!!!! :) THAT'S what God wants us to do with those "BIG THINGS" (& little things) that he, in HIS TIME gives to us!!!!!!! :)
    http://tladydesigns.blogspot.com/
    posted by Becky Green
    on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 9:40 am
  13. Been studying Song of Solomon and it is amazing how often we are called to just come away and be in God's presence...just enjoy Him. No big event, no major instances...he called her to join Him at lunch break with the sheep! Just enjoying God in the everyday, where no news is good news. Life has enough surprises and events...why not enjoy the down time and rest in Him?
    posted by Candra S.
    on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 10:47 am
  14. Amen to that! Just what I needed today. I can fully relate to this post. I felt so discouraged because my life is monotonous.

    Please pray for me.
    posted by ken
    on Monday, November 19, 2012 at 12:03 am
  15. Perfect!!!! Thank you for putting this to "paper" so well!!! Now to live it out!
    posted by Lisa Barnhart
    on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 7:09 am
  16. @ken...Be assured that we have prayed for you ~ seeking God to give you endurance and encouragement (Rom. 15:15). God bless you!
    posted by Sarah, with the TW Team
    on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 10:13 am
  17. Thanks Lina. So wonderful. Seeking God! God's timing is perfect!!
    posted by Lily
    on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 12:11 am

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