WHAT, WHEN?

As mothers, we love it when our sweet children ask their nagging "WHEN" questions: "When can we open our presents?" "When will you take us?" "When will we get there?" "WHEN?" "WHEN?" "WHEN?" 

In response, we typically give a classic "WHAT" answer, detailing what needs to be accomplished first. For example, "The dishes need to be done," "Your room needs to be clean," or "Your homework needs to be finished."

We mothers don't operate on a fixed time schedule but rather on a series of completed tasks and events.

I discovered that God often answers our "WHEN" questions with "WHAT" answers as well. We frequently find ourselves asking God, "When will I receive the promotion I've been praying for?" or "When will we finally get the home we've been waiting on ?" or "When will I get my breakthrough?" Instead of providing us with specific timelines, God responds by emphasizing what needs to happen within us before He can lead us forward. In these moments, God focuses on the changes that must occur within us.

I noticed that the disciples also approached Jesus with many "WHEN" questions, such as "When will your kingdom come?" and "When will you restore Israel?" Jesus directed their focus from the "WHEN" to what must happen first, the “WHAT”.

"Teacher," they asked, "When will these things happen?…

He replied, ... These things must happen first…(Luke 21:7-9)