Sometimes I wish I could read the mind of God—or at least understand his timing. But I’m learning to stretch while I wait.

Writing With My Foot
“Use your foot to write the alphabet in the sky,” my physical therapist told me.
“What if I have bad foot-writing,” I joked.
“I’m not a teacher, I won’t tell,” she said with a smile as she watched me try to form giant letters with my clumsy, swollen foot.
After surgery last year to repair a ruptured tendon in my ankle, I wanted to resume my normal activities as quickly as possible. I went to physical therapy twice a week and did all the stretches and exercises I could at home while I waited for healing.
If I stood up, I would stretch my calf muscles. When I sat down, I wrote the alphabet with my foot. I did lunges to stretch my hamstrings. The stretching gave me a purpose in my wait for a return to activities I love—mountain biking, hiking, running, birdwatching, and photography.
The stretching gave me purpose in the waiting, and a way to deal with the setbacks of nerve pain, incision infection, and swelling.
How to Stretch While You Wait
Now I have entered a different kind of waiting. We waited until after Christmas to list our investment property so our renters wouldn’t have to move over Christmas. They moved out late. The Realtor inspected the home before we listed it but discovered a major problem in the crawl space. Repairing it could cost thousands of dollars and take months.
What seemed like a clear decision in November, seems unclear in February. But I must ask myself, does God want me to stretch while I wait? Does he want me to stretch my faith in his provisions? Should I put off a major purchase during this uncertain period? What do I need to learn while I wait?
I can’t give you specifics on stretching while you wait, but I can share my belief God gives us periods of waiting. And during those times, he wants us to stretch so we are more equipped to handle his next best thing.
What’s causing you to stretch lately?
This post is part of the Five-Minute Friday quick write hosted by Kate Moutang. Join us each Thursday night on Twitter (#FMFParty) for fun and fellowship, then grab a pen and start writing when the prompt goes live!

Some stretches feel worse before they feel better. It’s sometimes uncomfortable when God puts us in “stretching” situations. When He has, I’ve been grateful afterwards for lessons in faith and knowing Him better through the stretching–even while hoping I won’t have to repeat the lesson. 🙂 But there will be other lessons and stretching in the future, which will keep our faith in good shape.
Barbara Harper recently posted…What Can We Know For Sure?
I don’t enjoy stretching of any kind while I’m in the middle of a stretch, but you’re so right about understanding the necessity in retrospect!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…This Amazing Skill Helps Lizards Adapt to the Environment Despite Danger
“The stretching gave me purpose in the waiting,” I’m glad you’re better, Anita!
“And a way to deal with the setbacks of nerve pain, incision infection, and swelling.” That sounds painful!
“I pray your investment property issue is resolved in a timely manner. Can it be sold as is or does it have to be remedied first?
Lisa Blair recently posted…Survive and Thrive
Thank you! We’re researching the problem. When the house was built, the way it was done was up to code. But the Realtor who looked at it thought it wasn’t (the code has changed). We’ll keep investigating and praying!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…How Can Something So Ugly Produce Such a Beautiful Flower?
Love your post and how God uses stretching times to stretch us. During these waiting times, I do my best to do active waiting because I know God is preparing something wonderful.
Yes! Active waiting is good! I like to find something to do–even if it’s small :).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…This Amazing Skill Helps Lizards Adapt to the Environment Despite Danger
I have returned to yoga classes and at the end I always feel so relaxed. The stretching may hurt in the middle, but the end result is good. I like how you applied this to God. Sometimes he does stretch us. And the end result is always good.
Theresa+Boedeker recently posted…Don’t Bite the Bait: How to Respond to Criticism
I’ve never taken a formal yoga class–just followed along a few times on the web. The stretches are so helpful, but you’re right, they don’t always feel good while you’re trying one!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Don’t Miss This Inspirational Suspense Book Set in San Antonio
I appreciate your use of questions in this sharing and in the title. Enjoyable and thought provoking! Your FMF neighbor #38
Thank you for stopping by, Angeique!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Sweet, Inspirational Regency Romance New Releases
Ahhh, the precious gems of Faith learned in the waiting. I understand this one Anita, I have had many of these lessens & still am, in the waiting for healing of my chronic health issues.
But the gems that have been revealed in the meantime have been eternally precious & invaluable.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Tea With Jennifer recently posted…The Art of the Slow
Amen! Mining is, by nature, slow work!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…What a Tired Mama Moose Taught Me About Accepting Seasons
I’ve been doing a lot of stretching while waiting-literally and figuratively. As someone posted above, I’ve learned to develop a posture of active waiting. Keeping eyes open and watching for God’s hand moving in little ways remind me I am seen.
What a wonderful attitude!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…SCH 088 Why You Need to Take Care of the Past Before You Can Have a Future
I’ve been having to do foot stretches the past several months myself for plantar fasciitis. But I’ve failed to make this wonderful spiritual application that you make here, Anita. I’m definitely in a waiting phase in certain relationships so I need to think of it as a time of stretching. Thanks!
Lisa notes recently posted…They Don’t Have to Understand {Mantra 24}
Praying for you as you wait (and stretch).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Sweet, Inspirational Regency Romance New Releases
Great insights here Anita, I never looked at it from that angle before. Thanks for helping me to reflect.