On the Journey...
and learning to wait...
This week I thought I would go a bit more personal and share a lesson that the Holy Spirit has been hammering home to me over the last few months. I want to share it here, because in my conversations with my fellow warriors, this is something we must all deal with on a pretty regular basis. Perhaps sharing some of my own processing will help you navigate (with greater patience) your own waiting game.
When life throws us into seasons of confusion, where nothing seems clear, it’s natural to feel a surge of impatience.
We pace while we wait, but nothing happens fast enough.
I am very familiar with the feeling. I often find myself yearning for that immediate breakthrough, a swift miracle to dissolve the fog and set everything right on my timetable. When that instant solution doesn’t materialize, I can quickly become discouraged and the frustration of ‘not knowing’ become a real weight on the spirit.
So, God takes me back to the basics.
The lesson I must learn (and relearn) is simply this: I cannot rush the process. No matter how much I push, strive, or fret, divinely inspired solutions rarely, if ever, unfold according to my personal schedule.
This is hard to remember, especially when uncomfortable circumstances press hard against me. And yet, I’m discovering (all over again) that true wisdom lies not in demanding immediate clarity, but in patiently waiting for the solution to reveal itself. It’s an act of surrender, acknowledging that there’s a larger, more intricate plan at play than I can comprehend in the moment.
That said, the frustration of delays can be intense…
That is why every time the anxiety meter begins to spike; I must remind myself of God’s unwavering faithfulness. Despite my impatience and my desire for an immediate answer, He is faithful, and the solution always makes itself clear exactly at the time it is supposed to.
This isn’t just a hopeful platitude; it’s a deeply experienced reality.
Each time I’ve been forced to wait, the eventual clarity or resolution has unfolded in a way that proves His perfect timing, often better than anything I could have orchestrated. This ongoing lesson in patience has become less about passive waiting and more about active trust, strengthening my faith and reshaping my understanding of divine grace in the midst of life’s most perplexing moments.
Wait patiently for the Lord…
Psalm 27:14
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21
The trap of productivity…it sits out there just waiting to be chased. Or is it just me? After all, we were created for more than just ourselves. I believe in my soul that each of us is instilled with divine purpose – to know Him and to make Him known. And then of course there’s always the issue of paying the bills.
So, when is it enough and when is it too much? It’s a good question that deserves to be asked, especially for those of us who are wired for “busyness”. And I can assure you right off the bat – I don’t have all the answers, but here’s what I know. There are many, many scriptures that encourage good works. It’s important that we seek God about His purpose for our lives and make intentional efforts towards fulfilling the purpose every day.
But even the Lord rested. And when various characters in the Bible were overwhelmed or exhausted, they were encouraged to rest as well. Somewhere in there, I’m certain there’s a balance of working as unto the Lord and resting in His presence. And here’s what I think it comes down to… working as unto the Lord is one thing, working because work is the one place we feel successful or because we think that’s what gives us worth, that’s something different. We can only worship one master. The way we spend our time is very telling.
I’ll be taking these thoughts into the week with me. I pray you do as well and find the place where you are obedient to your calling while also finding moments to refresh and strengthen for whatever comes next. And in each moment, may we be sure to worship the One who is truly deserving of it all.
Caregivers Corner With
Kathi Peters
Caregiver (verb): One who provides direct support for one who is in need of practical help, encouragement and love.
When caregiving responsibilities feel like they’re taking over your life, it’s easy to forget your own needs until you’re running on empty. And when that happens—it isn’t pretty, is it? Overwhelm can show up in many ways:
- You’re more irritable. The little things your loved one does, that normally roll off your back, suddenly get under your skin.
- You lose patience with yourself – and with your loved one. Sometimes you even hear the sharpness in your own voice and wish you could take it back.
- For me, when I’m stretched to my limit, I find myself rushing—and then I start dropping things! That only adds more frustration, with myself and with the whole situation.
But here’s the good news: we as caregivers don’t have to wait until we’ve hit the wall. We can
prepare.
Take time to write down three or four simple things that restore you when you feel drained. Keep
this list in your Notes app, on your phone, or tucked in your journal. They don’t have to be grand
gestures like a spa day—sometimes the most life-giving resets are as simple as a 10-minute walk,
a quiet cup of tea, or a favorite song played while you breathe deep.
Then, as soon as you notice the signs of overwhelm creeping in, choose one (or two!) from your
list. Don’t wait until it snowballs into something unmanageable.
And most importantly—invite the Spirit of the Living God to fill you. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds
us of the fruit of the Spirit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
When you’re abiding in Him, these qualities can flow through you—even in the hardest caregiving moments. Imagine how different it feels when patience replaces irritability, or when gentleness softens frustration. These aren’t things we can muster up on our own; they are gifts of the Spirit, cultivated in us when we invite Him to strengthen and sustain us.
So, when overwhelm threatens to overwhelm you, pause. Restore. Pray. And let the fruit of the Spirit refresh not only your own soul but also the one you are caring for.
Worship Moment
with Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: You Really Are (featuring Chandler Moore and Tiffany Hudsom) (Spotify and Apple Music)
Band: Elevation Music
From: “Lion” (2022)
Sometimes we look for answers, signs, or approval to feel secure—but this song reminds us of something deeper: God doesn’t change based on our performance. He just is.
“I’ve seen You as provider. I’ve seen You as a Father. You really are who You say You are.”
Even when we don’t have it all together, He doesn’t pull away. He remains faithful, present, and full of love. He’s not waiting for perfection—He’s after your heart. Whether you need peace, healing, direction, or simply to be seen… He already is all of that—and more.
So today, rest in this truth: You don’t have to earn His love—you already have it. And He will always be enough.
I want to know You
I want to know You
I want to know You
For who, can we say that? (for who You really are)
I want to know You
(I want to know You)
This is my prayer, my prayer
(I want to know You)
This is my prayer, my prayer
(I want to know You)
For who You really are
(For who you really are)
Yeah, I want to know You
A Word On…
Hardship
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
Jesus made it clear, he said, suffering would be an inextricable part of the equation in this life (John 16:33)…
However, if we are to rightly understand the ways of God, we must clarify the point of intention.
Does God take pleasure in suffering?
Is He intent on hurting us in order to bring about something good?
I cannot buy that.
The great unfortunate consequence of a broken world is that evil is pervasive and has ripple effects far beyond the original perpetrators.
But that isn’t the end of the story!
God in his mercy, is always in the redeeming business. He is constantly taking what the enemy has meant for evil and turning it to good.
It may be the hardest thing to remember when life gets hard – but it is the truth we must hold on to above all else…
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
This week I’d like to talk about something that seems to be getting a lot of attention these days: “grounding”.
Grounding refers to direct conduction between the human body and the Earth – walking barefoot, using conductive mats or sheets that connect to the Earth’s electrical potential. The Earth’s surface carries a supply of free electrons that can balance out positively charged free radicals in the body, much like an electrical “reset.”
Grounding for healing has always made sense to me—maybe because I grew up in the 70’s, where running barefoot through the grass was just part of life.
But today, our world has pulled us indoors. We’re tethered to computers under fluorescent lights, sitting for hours in rubber-soled shoes, only standing for bathroom or lunch breaks. We’ve become so disconnected from the Earth—and in the process, from ourselves. We seek connection through devices, but they often leave us even more depleted, thanks to blue light exposure and an unnatural mix of frequencies and electron disruption.
When I began experiencing sleep disturbances after getting COVID, I knew my sympathetic nervous system was dysregulated. I also knew that grounding would be one of the keys to healing.
It starts with the simplest things: getting up with the sun, stepping outside barefoot, or starting your morning prayer with your feet in the grass, eyes gently absorbing morning light. These are the moments where healing begins.
Some educators now suggest grounding for as many hours as you spend holding a device. Making that 1:1 exchange can be tough—but there are practical ways to close the gap. You can sleep on grounding sheets, keep your feet on a grounding mat while working, or simply turn off your Wi-Fi at night to reduce the electromagnetic load on your nervous system while you rest.
Grounding isn’t just helpful – I believe it’s essential in the process of healing.
A Prayer
For Trudy's Family
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
Last week I asked you to pray for my friend Trudy whose health had taken a turn for the worse. Sadly, she passed last week, and although she is free from her suffering, her friends and family will surely miss her dearly.
Lord have mercy!
Gracious God, our hearts are heavy with grief for Trudy’s friends and family who have lost their loved one. We lift them all up to you, asking that you would be their comfort and their strength in the days ahead. Surround them with your peace that surpasses all human understanding and let them feel your loving presence in the midst of their sorrow. Would you gracious heal their broken hearts and bring to their minds cherished memories that will one day outweigh the pain of their loss.
Lord, we ask that you would give them the courage and grace to navigate the difficult path of grief. Provide them with a supportive community who will listen without judgment and offer practical help as they can. Remind them that they are not alone and that it’s okay to not be okay. We trust in your promise to be close to the brokenhearted, and we thank you that even in death, your love remains. In Jesus name… Amen.
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.
Self doubt is a real thing…
I have often felt like the imposter.
I can easily convince myself that no one would ever think of hearing from me or pay attention to anything I have to say – because, what do I know? I am far from perfect!
So, I am regularly tempted not to say anything – exactly as the enemy would have it.
What the old adage, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good people to do (say) nothing.”
But here’s the thing, (and this really matters): I don’t have to get ‘preachy’. I don’t have to pretend I am better than anyone else. All I have to do is admit that I am a fellow struggler determined to figure it out, and then God in His mercy, uses my stumbling imperfect life to somehow become a source of inspiration for others along the way…
Quick Reminder
We are still taking applications for the Building Resilience Course starting on Sunday September 7. You can find out more HERE.
If you are ready to sign up please send a note to my executive assistant Jennifer at jennifer@20threesix.com and she will get you everything you need.
Also, don’t forget, newsletter recipients got $150 discount off their registration fee, and scholarships are available!
Support the work!
The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects related to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
https://www.patreon.com/c/pietvanwaarde
