Beauty in the Waiting

Sometimes the point is the journey, not the destination. There is beauty in the waiting. | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Over the past weeks it has been to fun to finally be able to spill the beans and tell you about the major changes that have been going on behind the scenes for several months now– we are in the process of selling the townhouse that we’ve lived in for 7 years and are building a new home just a few miles down the road.

As exciting as it has been for me to talk about all the details, I must admit that I’ve also felt a little awkward at times. I mean, I’ve always felt fine about talking about our current house; it is smaller than many peoples’ homes and isn’t without its quirks and imperfections. But up until this point I’ve blogged about small space living and decorating on a budget, so it feels kind of weird to be talking about a bigger, brand new house.

I never want to come across like I’m bragging, nor do I want the posts about our new place to be a pain point for people who are in the period of waiting, either to buy their first home or forever home or to get into a space that is better suited for their family.

If you’re not at that point, this may seem like a silly thing to worry about. But if you are in the waiting stage, you know exactly what I’m talking about, and I know exactly how you feel. I have been in that place myself for the past 4+ years. In fact, in one of my first blog posts that I wrote back in 2013, I stated that my goal was for us to move by the end of that year.  Here we are in mid-2016, and we are just beginning the moving process.

I often would scold myself when I would catch myself day dreaming about being able to leave the townhouse behind and move into our forever home. After all, we have been well taken care of here, there is so much about the townhouse that I love, and we truly, truly have so much to be grateful for. But part of me yearned for the stability that would come with a house that I knew we could be in for years and years to come.

Sometimes the point is the journey, not the destination. There is beauty in the waiting. | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Maybe houses aren’t your thing. Maybe you enjoy the excitement and experiences that come with getting to live in a bunch of different settings. Or maybe you are perfectly content where you already are. But I would bet that we’ve all experienced a period of waiting for for something.

And that waiting thing? It can be so hard.

I remember when I was young and single, waiting and wondering if I would find the person I wanted to marry. I remember when Donnie and I were engaged and graduating from college, waiting and wondering whether we’d find jobs with our newly minted degrees. I remember when we lived in Arizona and wanted so badly to move back home closer to family, waiting and wondering if the right job situation would work out. I remember when Donnie got laid off (twice), waiting and wondering if we would be able to make ends meet.

Sometimes the point is the journey, not the destination. There is beauty in the waiting. | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

Every time we were in one of those waiting periods, I ran the gamut of emotions. I would get angry that everything didn’t go the way that I had planned it all out. I would feel sad that the thing I was waiting for always felt just out of reach. When I got over the initial frustration and sadness, I would be hopeful about the possibilities for the future, even if they weren’t going to become a reality right away. And eventually I would become excited because I had started to notice a trend: every time one of those situations was resolved, I would look back on it and realize how much I had learned and grown in the midst of it.

During one of these waiting periods when I was feeling especially frustrated, my oh-so-wise mother said to me, “Abby, sometimes it is not about the destination. It is about what God wants to teach you along the journey.”

And she was so right.

That didn’t mean that in the midst of the waiting it wasn’t sometimes incredibly, incredibly hard. I, admittedly, have still been known to throw a fit or two in the middle of a time that required more patience than I felt like I had in me to give. I have shed more than a few tears when a particular situation hasn’t gone the way that I had planned. But I have also been able to look back and be grateful that a God who is wiser than me orchestrated every circumstance more perfectly than I ever could have asked or imagined.

Sometimes the point is the journey, not the destination. There is beauty in the waiting. | JustAGirlAndHerBlog.com

As I think back on this period where we have stayed in our townhouse, waiting for the perfect time to move, I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for the opportunity to revive our once ugly, outdated house into a cozy, welcoming home for our family. I’m thankful that Connor gets to go to school in a wonderful district, in a school that he loves. I am thankful that carrying a small mortgage all these years gave us flexibility with jobs and ultimately allowed Donnie and I to make the leap to working on the blog together full time. I’m thankful that we’ve been able to be in close proximity to our families, our friends, and our church. And this is just scratching the surface. There are truly so many awesome things that happened and lessons that we learned, and though I didn’t always understand it at the time, I wouldn’t change a thing about it now.

So if you are in a period of waiting, take heart, my friend. There is beauty that comes from those times of wondering and hoping. There is a journey that can create memories, teaching moments, and bring just as much (if not more) joy than arriving at the destination, if we’re just willing to look around and take it all in. Most of all there is a God who loves you, who wants his very best for you, and has more in store for you than you could ever have planned for yourself. And that is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

Abby

51 Comments

  1. This goes so perfectly with the First 5 devotion today to take heart in God’s divine organization. ???

  2. Waiting is so hard! But I agree that sometimes there are other things you need to do while you wait. I’m currently waiting for a few things myself and this was just what I needed to hear 🙂

  3. Ginny @ Organizing Homelife says:

    So well said, Abby. I have been in the same waiting room several times. We had to wait 7 years for a job I thought we would have in a few months. It affected our living situation because we never felt “settled”, always ready for a move, never knowing when it might come. But your mom is so right. We learn SO much on the journey that is irreplaceable and it wouldn’t be so precious if we hadn’t waited for it. I’m thankful for a God who knows all the details ahead of time and is patient with us as we are sometimes so frustrated on the journey. If you’ve never read “Little Pilgrim’s Progress” with your kids, I highly recommend it. My kids enjoyed it so much more than I expected and the perspective was life changing for me as well. Thanks for sharing from your heart. 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      We will have to check it out! Thanks so much, Ginny! Have a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  4. I have seen this over and over in my life in many different situations. Waiting can be so hard but knowing. God is there and has His perfect plan for our lives helped me get through those periods of waiting.

  5. Karen @ a house full of sunshine says:

    Love this, friend! It brought a tear to my eye. Sometimes it feels like half my life has been spent waiting, particularly on a big dream that I hold very close to my heart but one that has been railroaded by setbacks and delays time and again. This is a lovely reminder that God has it all under control. Also, just saying, I think it would be impossible for you to ever sound like you’re bragging. You’re always so sweet and humble. It’s so cool to see you living your dream.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      You are the sweetest, Karen! Thank you! Hugs to you, friend!

      ~Abby =)

  6. The.Restless.Worker says:

    I really love this post. It’s true when life sets you back there are many lessons to learn from it. My partner and I have had our fair share. We met travelling abroad and then he moved to my country for me. Visa processes are a nightmare and it hasn’t been easy but at the end of the day every last bit of it was worth it. Than of course we are now just trying to even buy a small place but have again reached many hurtles. It’s how you grow from it and learn I guess!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Yes, I agree!

      ~Abby =)

  7. There is much truth in your post, Abby. It has taken me many years to get out of “hurry up with life” mode. It’s takes some will on my part, but I consistently tell my heart to slow down…I don’t want to get to the end of life and realize that I missed a bunch of good stuff just trying to make something happen quickly!

  8. Currently in the waiting game over here 🙂 5 years in a 1200 sq ft townhome with a now 2 yr old and 4 yr old. Looking like we will be here another 5 years until we can afford our forever home. Sacrifices can be hard, but we are staying put to be close to me husbands chaotic law enforcement job. Looking forward to your posts on the new place !

  9. Melanie @ Gather for Bread says:

    So much truth and encouragement in this Abby! I feel like I’ve been waiting a long long time for my “forever” home. We said when we moved into our current home that we’d stay put for about 5 years. We’re still here.

    I’m still waiting. Especially for a studio/ office. It would so nice to have. But I’m not letting it keep me from my joy any more. Moving to my ‘dream’ home won’t make me any happier. So choosing contentment no matter where or what is vital.

    I’m so happy for you! The new home sounds like it will perfect for your family dynamic with working at home. Congrats!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      I love your attitude, Melanie! It can be SO hard to keep that positivity while you wait. Thanks so much for your sweet words and hugs to you!

      ~Abby =)

  10. Sarah @The Teacher's Wife says:

    Such a great reminder to ask God for contentment wherever he has us and to trust that he’s going to teach us in the midst of it. I’m happy for you as you look ahead!

  11. what a beautiful post Abby! As someone who always wants things immediately (I just like to check things off my list!), I often forget about the awesome things going on while we’re waiting for what we want! Congrats on the new house!

  12. Amberly Chauvie says:

    We went through the waiting period too. We moved into our 900 sq ft house in 2006 and moved out 2015. During that time we had a cat, dog(lab), and two children. We definitely wanted it to be a starter home and live there for 5 years. While we were waiting the housing market took a big crash so we were forced to stay put. Last year we bought our new house 3020 sq ft we feel like its a mansion lol. During our waiting time we grew so much and got the experience we needed with our careers. My husband is now a supervisor at this job and I have a job I love and I am making advances everyday in moving up to management.Waiting it also helped with interest rates. We were able to get the house we always wanted trailer parking, space, open concept, bedrooms for both boys, and still be able to have fun and go on fun vacations. Waiting is worth it even though it can feel like an eternity until you make it 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      You are so right, Amberly!

      ~Abby =)

  13. Casey Johnson says:

    Thanks Abby!! I am smack dab in the middle of a waiting period. This was a breath of fresh air. I am a huge instant gratification girl and want everything “right now!!” all. of. the. time. I hate waiting, but I know that God is working on my faith and patience while I wait. Satan is fighting, but I am choosing to rest on God’s promises.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful for you, Casey! God has wonderful things in store for you! Hugs to you while you wait!

      ~Abby =)

  14. Beth A. Ingle says:

    WOW, your post could not have come at a better time. We also are in the process of selling and looking for a new house, but we had been looking in another state! My mother-in-law’s illness really put an urgency in the process through my husband, but as we began down this path life (and most certainly God) told us to slow it down. So many things can go wrong if you want things right now, but if you step-back and see the big picture. With us it means that we really need to wait for 4 1/2 years before we pack up and leave the state (pension and all good stuff!), but it doesn’t mean that we won’t sell the house. Downsizing is probably a better idea right now and using as much vacation time to spend the last days with “Mom”. I love what you said – “There is a journey that can create memories, teaching moments, and bring just as much (if not more) joy than arriving at the destination”. We all have to remember that, no matter what that “destination” is!! Thanks so much for beautiful words because they really spoke to me today!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Aw, so glad it was helpful for you, Beth! Hugs to you on your journey!

      ~Abby =)

  15. Heathers Looking Glass says:

    So well said Abby! We have been in SEVERAL periods of waiting over the years and it’s definitely not my strong suit! Maybe one day I will “get it” and God will stop having to teach me the same thing over and over. 🙂 I’m once again in a waiting period and trying to just trust that God is in control and can see the bigger picture.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      It can be SO hard! Hugs to you while you wait!

      ~Abby =)

  16. Brittney Guise says:

    Waiting is so tough! I’m a planner and hate not knowing when things will happen and how. I’m slowly learning that God doesn’t waste anything and that his plans are so much better than mine!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      You are so right, Brittney! His are much better! 🙂

      ~Abby =)

  17. Rydi @ Painting Dreamscapes says:

    This was a really needed read for me. I’m still in the waiting to find financial stability, that’s basically the only thing keeping me from moving on to moving out into my first house, marry and have lovely children of my own. I know God has something good planned for me, so I’ll be patient until then! I can’t wait to see how you decorate your new home!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thanks so much, Rydi! You are so right… God has something wonderful planned for you! Waiting can be SO hard in the meantime. Hugs to you!

      ~Abby =)

  18. Beautifully written! Thank you so much, I needed these words right now! Best wishes! ❤️

  19. This post really hit home for me. I am currently in a waiting process myself and this really gave me piece of mind. Thank you Abby!

  20. Andrea Drugay says:

    Hi Abby ~ first of all, I just wanted to say thanks for the great webinar the other day! I learned a ton!! And also thanks for this post. I’m in a waiting period right now that is one baby step closer to closure every day, and every bit of reassurance helps 🙂 Best wishes with your new transition!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thanks so much! So glad it was helpful for you, Andrea!

      ~Abby =)

  21. Enjoy every moment of the journey Abby. I had almost not posted a backyard bbq photos because I am in waiting for fence repair. I decided to heck with it, nobody has a perfect home or it would just be called a house. Homes are ever changing elements no matter where you place your slippers before you sleep that night. And changes in the home are so good for family, maybe not at a potty training crisis week but all the other weeks.
    Many folks can do little changes, like a new dish towel or soap dish and some are in the transition of big change.
    change is good.

    hugs and blessings,
    Pamela List

  22. Great post, somehow inspirating, waiting periods are the worst for me.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      I hear you– they can definitely be tough! Thanks for stopping by, Esther!

      ~Abby =)

  23. This post speaks to me 100%! My boyfriend and I still live at home and are saving up to buy our own place and move out. I feel stuck sometimes, but I have to know that it’s okay, and better things will come! Because we don’t know where we will be or what we will be able to afford, it’s scary! But also exciting! I’m paying special attention to what you are going through with your new home (congratulations by the way!), because I could be going through the same thing next year!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Hugs to you, sweet girl! The waiting can definitely be tough, but it will all work out in the end!!

      ~Abby =)

  24. Esther Zysk says:

    Thanks Abby for writing such a beautiful and encouraging post! I love all your posts, but especially when you write from the heart about everyday trials and tribulations. It is always so hard to live in the moment and experience the journey for some of us, so this was a great reminder 🙂

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much for your sweet note, Esther! I always wonder if these types of posts are even helpful for anyone or if they just sound like me rambling, so your words are very encouraging. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  25. Hannelene says:

    Waiting is so hard! Even harder for me though, is not waiting to live life until it is all perfect. When we get the new house I will… When I have this job I will… When I have children… When my children are older I will… It is encouraging to know that in these times of waiting, we are not stagnant.

  26. Nancy isham says:

    Great post Abby! God has worked in my life so many ways during waiting periods. I think the hardest for me is not the waiting for sonething…but questioning my own expectations and ideas for something. I have a tendency to change course at the first roadblock instead of pushing through to see what God has planned. I’m so happy for you and your family. Having a forever home is huge. I can’t wait to see it!

    1. justagirlabby says:

      You are too sweet, Nancy! Thanks so much! I can’t wait either! 🙂

      ~Abby =)

  27. Thank you for your encouragement! Waiting can be really hard and I think what is hardest is not knowing when it’ll happen. But it is definitely about the journey and not the destination. What you learn about yourself, and how you grow as a person is what counts.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      I so agree, Mali!

      ~Abby =)

  28. Amanda Jenkins says:

    I seem to always feel like I’m in the waiting period! But my favorite memories have always been in the waiting period. The big moments are special but the blood, sweat and tears in between seem to make us stronger people. Thanks for sharing and congrats on the big changes in your life.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      I totally agree, Amanda! They are what make the big moments special! 🙂 Thanks so much and have a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

  29. I can’t believe I’m so overdue on reading this post! All things happen in their time and I think THIS is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you for your open honesty and for always encouraging us to never, ever give up. You are truly an inspiration and a blessing in the world. <3

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Aw, thanks so much, Erin! I’m so glad it was helpful for you! <3 Have a great weekend!

      ~Abby =)

  30. I’m so glad I came across this post. My husband and I are in this exact same boat .it is so hard, and daily I feel like I have ran out of patience when it comes to waiting on hearing if he got he job that he is interviewing for at that time. It’s so hard to not get mad at God at times, but there are those small glimpses of hope when I remind myself that He is in control and has something better than I could even have planned for myself. Thanks for the encouragement.

    1. justagirlabby says:

      So glad it was helpful for you, Jessica! Times of waiting are some of the toughest, for sure! Prayers and hugs to you and your hubby as you wait to see what the Lord has in store for you next! <3

      ~Abby =)

  31. LaTonya Hockett says:

    This is so good! I can see many similarities with my journey in waiting for children. My husband and I have been waiting for 9 years now. God has told us we would have our own children; so we are trusting and believing Him and His word towards us. Thanks for this post! I would love for you to check out my website http://www.abbainterpretstime.com

    Thanks,
    LaTonya

    1. justagirlabby says:

      Thank you so much for sharing your story with me, LaTonya! I SO admire your positive attitude and your trust in the Lord in your long period of waiting. I was so drawn in when reading your story. There are so many others with your same struggles and you are sure to be a huge blessing to them. Sending you hugs, sweet girl! <3

      ~Abby =)

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