Today after a brief visit to our local grocery store, I returned home (with all three kids) and a trunk full of yummy food. Both necessary and unnecessary; healthy and unhealthy.

Having tamed both the the kids and the mountain of groceries on my kitchen island, I started to prepare lunch for the crew. Each with their perfectly divided colorful plates, a section for each item for a homemade lunchable aka kid charcuterie. Being a mom to three distinct kids, in three distinct age groups, with three different tastes, likes, and dislikes, I have learned exactly how to prepare lunch so as to not cause upset.

I was just about done making the final touches on each lunch plate, handful of strawberries in hand, and out of the corner of my eye I see a tiny human snatch a strawberry from the carton and run to hide under the coffee table. Rather than being annoyed I just calmly stated, “Well, if you would’ve waited just a bit longer, you’d see that I’m preparing this strawberry for you, clean, just like you like it. But instead you ran in secret and grabbed a dirty one and are now hiding trying to eat it.”

Just as soon as I had finished my statement, I felt a strong conviction that I too often have done that myself. And maybe you have too. I find myself in such a hurry; praying for the thing and then doing the thing that I prayed about without fully seeking and patiently waiting for the Provider to provide. And not only does He provide, He prepares.

If you’ve ever bought fruit from your local market or store, organic or not, you know that you have to clean them. I personally do a vinegar soak, rinse, and dry before repacking. Thank you, social media influencers. Not only does this get rid of toxins, chemicals — it allows the fruit, or strawberries in my case, to last longer.

After cleaning the strawberries, before consumption, I know that my children like the leaves to be cut off, and my youngest needs me to cut them a bit smaller. Leaves and pieces that are too big can conflict with their enjoying the fruit and so I take the time to make it it just right. Making it better for them. However, from the theft of a dirty strawberry, I suppose I was taking too long for my child’s liking.

Friends, readers, passers-by, I beg of you to wait on the Lord. Wait for what He is preparing and providing for you. Is it easy? No, but I can tell you that it is better for you, inside and out, and crafted, cut, served according to your needs for your enjoyment and His glory. Consuming what you’ve taken in vain will not last, but consuming that which is made ready for you, will.

But as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, not the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” – 1 Corinthians 2:9