Have you ever just felt, well, behind? The train has come and gone down the tracks and you didn’t even know you needed to be at the station?  Behind like you look back and have so many dreams that you were ready to seize but instead you are sitting at swimming lessons or standing in lines to get into a decent preschool?  Others your age are having family vacations with other families and you can’t even save enough to go out of town for the weekend without feeling budget deflated?

Just flat behind.

I’m there. Right now. I feel it.

I feel like I am too old to be doing 4th grade math.

When you hit 40, shouldn’t you be living in your dream house already?

Retirement?  Hmmm, maybe we should get on that.

What do you mean I’m “middle aged’? I just graduated from college. Well, maybe that was over 20 years ago.

What is this TikTok thing? Is it new?

I feel all my aspirations of being an amazing contributor to society have been stomped on by tiny, plastic dinosaur feet. And those dinosaurs don’t care at all! They just roar at me all day long.

My heart struggles not with seeing others that are on that darn train, but with the question of “when.”

When?

When is my train coming? Am I really just straggling behind OR was I LEFT behind because I just wasn’t meant to go down that path? Do I resign myself to the here and now OR do I look forward and BELIEVE the dreams that were placed in my spirit are from a Father that really cares for me.

Am I the ONLY one that has had these thoughts? I’m guessing not, my friend! I’m guessing you have hopes and expectations of what you thought your life would be like and reality is just not cooperating!

I think of dear Elizabeth, the cousin of Jesus’s mother, Mary. I’m sure Elizabeth felt behind. Years of wondering why everyone else had a child left her with years of tears and questions. BUT she found herself with child when others her age were bouncing grandbabies on their knee. (Luke 1:7-25)

Was she behind? No. She was tucked away for a purpose. Elizabeth’s dream of being a mother wouldn’t have unfolded in any more perfect way. The spectacular plan formed by a loving God was the best unveiling of hope that Elizabeth could ever dream of. She knew she wasn’t behind. She was chosen for that season. Her baby was chosen for that season, too.

To rejoice in the place where you are, brings faith to a place where hope can be ignited.  The babe in Elizabeth’s womb rejoiced when the mother of Jesus approached. (Luke 1:41) I suspect that the faith that rose up in Elizabeth concerning not only the child she was carrying, but her cousin’s baby planted hope. They were exactly where they needed to be and the timing was blessed.

God did not let Elizabeth be left behind. He sure didn’t! He won’t let us be left behind either! The dreams and hopes that the Lord has given you do NOT have an expiration date, sister. He works on a timeframe that is beyond what we understand. He has seasons for each and everything, including your heart’s desires. Cling to that!

So, do I still feel behind? Some days I sure do! But I will practice rejoicing in the days where I find myself now. I choose to have faith that the Lord will bring forth the dreams and promises that are hidden in my spirit. I know His timing is best and His seasons are perfectly orchestrated.

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1