Click here for an audio recording of the following blog post.

It started as a simple stirring then spun into unsettled gusts that morphed into a storm. “A move is coming,” was the phrase we heard almost a year ago, first individually, then confirmed prophetically through our pastor.  

God had given us the direction and desire but nothing in our life was moving.

In our spirit we sensed that God was about to catch us up in a holy whirlwind. We believed it was time to move back to be near family. We’d heard the Lord say, “Ready, set….” but were stuck in the pressure-filled pause before the final word that would set us in motion, “Go.”

We were stuck in the unknowns of where we to live, what job Michael would have, and when to move. This swirl of unanswered questions alone made our heads spin but it wasn’t the only area we were in limbo. We had also heard, “Ready, set…” with our adoption and responded accordingly. We are active with seven agencies and are waiting to be matched with an expectant mom. A call could come any day, or could come in a few years. Are we moving? Are we adopting a baby? Are we doing both? This month? Next month? Next year?

It’s in these seasons of transition that I find it the hardest to be present. My thoughts constantly run to the future and my desire to feel settled again tempts me to run ahead of the Lord’s leading. Ironically the time of “almost but not yet” felt like a harder workout than when we finally heard, “Go,” despite the increased pace that comes with the final sprint to the promise. 

Scripture says, “Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.” To experience the renewed strength of the Lord promised in Isaiah  40:31, we first have to experience the weariness and fatigue of waiting on the promise. Not unlike weight lifting, strengthening comes after crushing. Waiting periods are intended to build our endurance and get us into shape for the next leg of our journey. 

Eventually every waiting period turns into a suddenly season. This concept of appointed times is found throughout scripture and is translated “Kairos” in the Greek. This word represents the right season, a suddenly moment, and miraculous movement. Our family is in a Kairos moment right now. This week I told 3 people, “It’s all happening so quickly!” but what feels quick now was actually long awaited. 

It reminds me of the seemingly contradictory language used by the prophet Habakkuk.

“For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time. It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.” -‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Even though it delays, it won’t delay. Confusing, right? But when applied to the different phases of transition, it perfectly describes how God moves in our lives.

After a year of waiting, God suddenly gave Michael a new job. We sold our house in 48 hours. And we bought a new one in Ridgefield, Washington. 

This move was set into motion with an awkward email Michael didn’t want to send. It felt like a random idea to him, the thought of reaching out to the dentist at the Vancouver corrections facility to inquire about his long-term plans at his current position. After confirmation from our brother-in-law that God was the one behind the not-so-random idea, Michael sent an email that essentially conveyed, “Hey do you want to leave so I can have your job?” 

Insert awkward pause. Then came the unexpected reply: the dentist said the email was a sign from God to him that he needed to quit his job and move to Germany to be with his wife. He said he needed this confirmation because he was afraid to leave his assistants but knew they would be in good hands with Michael taking over.

A perfect example of a Kairos moment and James 4:2, “You have not because you ask not.”

The current dentist set his leave date which just so happened to be two years after Michael’s start date at his current facility. Because he had worked at this position for two years, he now qualified for an automatic transfer. We already knew that moving to Tri Cities was extremely purposeful, but now we know our time here was a divine set up. 

And just like that, came, “Go!” We put our house on the market, received two offers over asking price in 48 hours, and spent the next couple weekends looking for our new house in Vancouver, Washington. 

This time around Michael knew which house was “the one” before I did. My prayer for the last few months had been that God would lead through Michael, and he faithfully answered. 

Still, I needed direct confirmation from the Lord for myself. I stood on the sidewalk outside our new house moments before we submitted an offer and read the house numbers: 2911. Immediately I heard the Holy Spirit say: Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope.’”

While we continue to build strength in the workout of waiting for the adoption, I am confident that this will be the house we bring our adopted children home to. When the time is right, what has been long awaited will again suddenly happen.