GO:
I have never felt more “in between” in my life. I am between youth and adulthood, between jobs, between God Sized Dreams and guaranteed security. I feel like I’m floating somewhere in the middle of worthy and worthless, assured and ashamed, broken and blessed.
What happens here? What does life look like in the “between” – when hard choices come cushioned in soft blessings and the life we once knew and loved is taken away, leaving a life we’re realizing we desire to know and love even more? What does this walk with God look like in this space that feels so empty and full all at the same glorious time?
It looks like grace in the “in between.”
Between coffee and daytime TV the hard work of the day happens now – instead of at office desks in corporate offices, planners and pens crawl across a kitchen table still sticky from last night’s toddler meltdown at dinner. The writing that used to happen in the leftover hours now happens….any time I can get to it. It’s not where we imagined we would be at this point in our lives, praying over the weeks between paychecks, trusting God to fill in the blanks and open doors.
What does this place look like?
It looks like closing my eyes and letting God lead me, trusting that even here – even in the middle spaces that seem so confusing and overwhelming, He knows exactly where to place my next step.
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Oh yes, Crystal, this I know! And I also know having been through these times and still going through them at times today, this is where we learn to walk step by step with God. He is Good, He Knows, He’s got a Plan…no matter what it looks like to us!!
oh my goodness, yes!
Love this and love YOU!!!
{{hugs}} right back Mel!
I know you do! You are a prayer warrior of the mightiest kind – and I could not be more blessed to know you have my back when I’m not even sure which way is up. You are a gift.
I’m just glad the photo actually worked with the prompt this time 😉 I usually pick one in advance & just hope for the best!
I love this. God is always right there to met us in our in between, isn’t He? I am so glad that you are finding your place in the midst of your in between.
YAY!! The countdown begins. Girl. JULY IS NEXT WEEK!
{{wink}} the early prompt totally helps!
Amen! There’s no “stuck” in this between place!
Even your comments on my blog inspire & challenge me in beautiful ways. So blessed by your heart.
{{hugs}} Barbie!
Thanks Carey 🙂
thank you!
His methods are never the ones I would choose, but always the ones that I need 🙂
You bless me Mary. You surprise me, treat me, encourage me, and walk through it all beside me. I’m so thankful.
I love that… “kingdom assignment” – He has a good one for you, Holly! Can’t wait to find out what it is, in His perfect timing 🙂
You know, I’m starting to feel the same way. There was security in the old, but also negativity. Here? I feel content for even the smallest blessings.
The steps in front of us are nearly too many to count!
Thanks Debi 🙂
It’s in the middle where I think I’ve discovered most that I truly am a Daughter of the King – that He is faithful and where I turn to Him with my whole heart 🙂 There is peace – beyond anything I could ever explain!
Hi Nancy! I’m so glad you’re finding the blessings and rediscovering those God Sized Dreams 🙂
God has surrounded me with such faithful sisters – like you! – who cheer me on. I can’t imagine walking the “in between” without you.
Oh the expectations…I don’t know about you, but I play out every possible scenario in my head – every conversation, every “what if,” every “if this happens then that”….it’s exhausting! God doesn’t expect that of us – He wants us to be still & wait!
It’s so counter-cultural to WAIT, isn’t it? To not rush to a decision, to be okay in the middle, to not need to choose immediately. It’s so hard to do!
Thanks Heidi 🙂
Crystal,
“It looks like grace in the in between.” Beautiful.
wow .. this was SO what I needed. it’s like im …. almost ..there … but .. still …… right ..here. in a world that wants our answers NOW and doesn’t like maybe’s and not yet’s and i dont know’s, im trying to find myself in on a “side”, but my feet can’t choose. but the “in-betweens” with God don’t seem so bad considering the sources wanting our responses black or white and lickity-split! i have to be okay with i just .. don’t .. know.
He does not exactly where the next step will be – and I’ve learned that I am never where I think I should be – but maybe I am where He thinks I should be – and I’m learning to recognize that. It’s tough when we have these expectations of how things should be – and, like marriage – it takes time to adjust those expectations to meet His expectations:) Wishing you blessing this week – sweet moments that seem just right!
You are certainly in this place. The work is hard and the trusting is hard, but this is a great time for growth & spreading. Love your honesty with the struggle. So proud of you for pushing through and leaning in hard in this time. <3
Hi Crystal – So much of this post resonated with me. Especially “when hard choices come cushioned in soft blessings and the life we once knew and loved is taken away, leaving a life we’re realizing we desire to know and love even more?” I find myself in that place right now. I’m learning to truly LOVE my new single life, even though I never thought that’d be possible. So many opportunities out there that I now get to experience, including finding my own dreams again. Blessings to you on your journey!
Wow. This prompt seems like it was meant just for you. Yes. It is in the in between places that we learn about faith and hope. Perhaps more than any other. May Christ bring you His peace in the midst of it.
Ah yes, this is where we have all found ourselves at one time or another. But you are to be commended for realizing that He is there, even in the in between. Lovely.
Oh, good thoughts, Crystal! I feel so in between right now as I am waiting for my next kingdom assignment from God. It’s hard to enjoy the in between days but I recognize the necessity of them!
I thought of you as soon as I saw the word prompt. The in between where you are is hard. I know. I’ve been there. Still there at times…but the blessings received and lessons learned during a similar time were life changing for me. That is my prayer for you. I love Crystal! Great post!
Love this! There is such beauty in between each of these moments and ahh the beauty that comes after as well. God Bless…
Crystal –
Loved what you shared here. Today I needed the reminder that He alone makes sense of the middle 🙂 That thought brought me comfort this morning.
I so understand trusting God to fill in the blanks! And sticky tables as writing desks….
Your in between is a beautiful place. The only guaranteed security we have is in Christ, and its a relief when he brings us to the place of knowing that. His methods are challenging, but His love and mercy endure, and resting in them, we endure because He HAS us. He has you, and watching this season unfold for you is grace. Love you, friend.
This is the place where His grace shines so brightly, where everything is different, yet He is still constant. Praying for you sweet friend.
This was beautifully said. Praying with you!
“I feel like I’m floating somewhere in the middle of worthy and worthless, assured and ashamed, broken and blessed.” Of this I can relate! “It looks like closing my eyes and letting God lead me, trusting that even here – even in the middle spaces that seem so confusing and overwhelming, He knows exactly where to place my next step.” Of this, I needed to hear. Thank you!
You seem to capture all of those “in between” moments perfectly, but I love that you understand the importance of letting Him place your feet. Blessings!
I’m actually really glad for your in between times because we all learn through them. Vicariously, we see a God who blesses and provides and a girl or woman ( depends on which way you lean in the in between grown up thingy) who loves God even when she’s stretching wide across worlds and feeling the ache and glory. Love you, friend. Thankful for your authentic heart and friendship.
“It looks like grace” – yes!
Praying for you during this in between time, friend. He will bless…I know He will. 🙂 Hugs to you!