This article was first posted on The Write Conversation on Sunday, August 22. It is a great reminder to stay in God’s pocket without trying to forge ahead on our own. I’d heard a sermon about this once, and the pastor asked: “Are you asking God to show you His plan, or are you marching ahead, asking for God’s blessings?” I believe blessings come from obedience and total surrender. But enough babble. Here’s Edie’s devo. And remember, if you think this is one that should make the top three of 2010, leave a comment, fb share it, like it, or tweet it, and I’ll tally all the tweets, shares, likes and comments at the end. (And don’t forget to support Edie by visiting her blog.)

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Ps 37:7 (NIV)

I don’t know about you, but waiting patiently isn’t in my top ten of favorite things to do—it’s actually closer to somewhere in the bottom ten. I hate being patient, whatever it is—I want it, and I want it now. I would like to think I’m a product of my times and environment. After all, we live in a world of the instant now. How nice it would be to put the blame somewhere other than my immaturity.

But God has shown me that’s all impatience is, immaturity with a mask. This has been particularly true with my writing life So many times, if God had given me the answer the moment I asked, I would have missed out on so much. I would have missed the sweet prayer time, the fellowship with others who shared in my journey, and the ultimate joy of something anticipated and achieved. I would have also missed out on being used by God to teach and comfort others as they saw Him work in my life.

Most important, God has shown me that had I rushed His timing, I’d have traded an immediate good for an ultimate best. For years I’ve enjoyed success in my freelance writing, but an idea that led to a published book proved elusive. I watched my contemporaries and even some of those I’ve mentored land contracts with no success of my own. I cried out to God, asked why and received no satisfactory answer. Then, this very month, the magic happened. I now have joined the ranks of those contracted authors. Even better is the book God chose for my first.

My first book will be a devotional for those with loved ones serving in the military. I wish I could share the gift this book is to me. Our oldest son served in the Marine Corps. He went straight from high school to boot camp to Iraq. I truly believe this book is one of the many ways God is redeeming that time of struggle in our family’s life. So yes, I had to wait, but it was worth it!

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Edie Melson is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for life’s stories. She loves to share her 16+ years experience in the field of writing through mentoring and teaching others. She’s a member of several professional writing organizations, including The Christian Pen, The Christian Writer’s View I and ACFW, where she serves as the Editor for the Southeast Zone Newsletter and staff reviewer for Afictionado Magazine. You can visit Edie on her popular writing blog, The Write Conversation. Married 29 years to husband, Kirk, they have raised three sons.