People always say “Oh, God’s never not answering you. His answer is just ‘not yet’.”

Doodled this in church on Sunday (it helps me pay attention!) Obviously my spirit was pulling up all the Scriptures I memorized as a kid, and reminding myself to wait with patience!

People say “It’s in times of waiting, hoping, dreaming, wishing, begging for answers that we are shaped, molded, and challenged to trust.”

People encourage “Just keep holding on! Keep your chin up! The answer will come–at just the right time.”

Well, so, what do you do when you finally get the answer? And the answer is “NO”?

You thank God.

You lift your hands in worship.

And remind yourself of the truths that …

God is sovereign–over all.

God is good–answers or no answers.

God has the best for you in mind–and the best often takes time.

God uses all things for good–even seemingly silly long waiting periods that end in “no.”

So much was worked out and through in our spirits as we spent this time hoping. So much crushing–the good kind–of our prides, our arrogance, our expectations. So much building–the necessary kind–of our faith, our trust, our reliance. On HIM, not us, of course.

And so much more will be too. The wait is not over.

We finally got our answer. And we still don’t know what’s going on. Isn’t that just like God? Love it. Absolutely love it.

I’m so thankful for our “no,” because it’s clear. It’s exactly what we asked for–clear, right, and just in the nick of time.

So, what do you do when you finally get your answer and the answer is no?

Say THANK YOU! and fall back to your knees in faith and gratitude.