Embracing the Liminal: Finding Purpose and Peace in Life’s Waiting Seasons

The crisp air, the scent of pine, and the crackle of a campfire – camping is an experience I truly cherish. While my partner, Cade, is always a good sport and joins me, there’s one aspect I consistently grapple with: how I *feel* physically while immersed in the wild. That familiar stickiness, a unique blend of sunscreen, insect repellent, a dash of dirt, and a generous coating of sweat, clings to my skin. It’s undeniably gross, and I often dream of washing it all away. Yet, in the very same moment, I find myself perfectly content. Why? Because this tactile discomfort is a powerful signal. It means I’m in my happy place, a serene sanctuary of peace and connection with nature.

This paradoxical feeling, this embrace of discomfort for a deeper sense of well-being, is precisely how I’ve come to understand “the wait.”

The wait isn’t a void; it’s that nebulous period that is neither here nor there. It’s a liminal experience, a threshold moment in life where we stand between what was and what is yet to be.

The Paradox of Patience: Redefining “The Wait”

If there’s one profound lesson I’ve gleaned from life’s repetitive cycles of waiting, it’s this: the wait isn’t truly waiting at all. It’s an active process, a journey in motion. Picture it as actively walking from point A to point C, with point B being the unexpected bonus, the invaluable lessons, and the hidden strengths you acquire along the way.

This understanding resonates deeply with the timeless wisdom found in scripture: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

Renew their strength? Yes, absolutely! In seasons of uncertainty and longing, our emotional and spiritual reserves can quickly deplete. The promise of renewed strength is not merely a hope but a divine provision for the journey. To run and not be weary, to walk and not faint? These are not just metaphors for physical endurance but for enduring life’s trials with unwavering spirit and resilience. This profound promise is precisely what we need when the path ahead seems unclear and the burdens feel heavy.

Waiting as a Catalyst for Transformation

While you navigate these periods of waiting, you are met with the beautiful assurance of being sustained and uplifted. However, the true secret to unlocking this blessing isn’t found in passively looking up and endlessly pleading for “please.” Instead, it lies in shifting your perspective and actively engaging with the present. It’s about getting to work and transforming your prayer from a desperate plea to a purposeful declaration: “So now I throw my heart into, ‘please let this experience change me, help others, and become more!'”

Consider past seasons of intense waiting: the two arduous years it took to find the house we eventually sold, or the debilitating battle with hyperemesis gravidarum. These weren’t periods of idle patience. They were crucibles of change.

During those challenging times, I learned that waiting isn’t about passively enduring; it’s fundamentally about changing – ourselves and, by extension, those around us. It’s an opportunity to ask: What promises do I need to fulfill that are waiting on me in this very space? What character traits can I cultivate? What lessons can I absorb?

When you commit to working on these two critical aspects – personal change and active contribution – it often feels as though “C” (your desired outcome) arrives sooner than it otherwise might have. And crucially, when you step over that threshold into your new reality, you don’t arrive empty-handed. You bring “B” with you – the invaluable talents, profound strengths, and unexpected blessings that could have been forged in no other way. This perspective allows us to embrace the journey fully, not just the destination.

So, even if there’s no new home yet, rest assured, we are more than okay. We have learned to deeply trust the waiting process. In fact, we wholeheartedly embrace it, because we understand the profound personal growth and unexpected treasures that invariably emerge from these liminal spaces.

Navigating the Commotion: The Reality of Life in Transition

That expression on his face perfectly captured the collective exhaustion we all felt last week. It took me a legitimate hour yesterday just to pour out into my journal everything that had been happening, what emotions were swirling, and why having seemingly zero possibilities on the horizon somehow left me feeling energized today. This paradox is a testament to the power of processing and shifting perspective.

Life has been in a state of constant commotion, keeping us incredibly busy. Our only real moments of ‘fun-ness’ in recent memory were a national women’s soccer game back in June and some fleeting splashes at the pool. But once July hit, it transformed into a relentless grind: work, work, work. There was the exhaustive work of trying to find a home to buy, a process we eventually had to pump the brakes on. Then came the equally frustrating work of trying to find a suitable home to rent, which seemed to be a non-existent entity.

Adding to the chaos was the work of packing, a task we had initially planned to outsource to movers – but that’s a story for another day, filled with its own unique challenges. And finally, the monumental task of selling off nearly half of our household possessions just to fit into whatever new space we eventually secure. These are the gritty realities of navigating significant life transitions, often far removed from the romanticized notion of “the wait.”

The Indispensable Gift of Rest

August 3rd marked our move-out date, and by then, I had unequivocally hit my wall of “what-in-the-world-is-this-mess?!” We had listened to what felt like divine prompting, and I am so incredibly grateful that our home sold so quickly. But then came the echoing question: Now what?!

You know that feeling, don’t you? The sensation of doing absolutely everything in your power, exercising every ounce of faith you possess, yet everything feels stuck, and there appears to be no discernible path forward. It’s a deeply isolating and frustrating place to be.

That morning, I rose early, completed my workout, and then made the conscious decision to read my scriptures on the front porch. I had barely read a single line, sitting enveloped in the warm morning glow as the sun crested over the mountain, when I was struck with my first miracle and lesson of the day. And trust me, it was going to be a day full of them!

The words resonated deeply: “He returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself in the labors which he had performed.”

My heart literally skipped a few beats. REST. The profound simplicity and power of that single word brought an immediate sense of relief and clarity.

So, I did. I allowed myself to rest. I sat outside and simply watched my children play, absorbing their carefree energy. I dove headfirst into a book I had been yearning to read, losing myself in its pages. I was still. And I believe that act of intentional stillness was precisely why the next few days unfolded with a cascade of one blessing after another. The women who came, the man who texted – all of it, every single act, simply to offer love and support. My scriptures often provide this exact balm for my soul. I speak in prayer, and He speaks back to me through the scriptures, frequently through the Book of Mormon, which I would gladly send you a free copy of if you wish to discover its messages for yourself.

But first, I had to navigate a little more unexpected turmoil, starting with an unsavory discovery. Let’s just say, some things in life are undeniably messy, and no, this particular mess was not of our family’s making. Yet, even through such a challenging moment, the lesson from earlier lingered: rest. Who knew it could be so utterly essential? So healing? So… everything?

Trusting the Journey: Finding Hope in Every Season

The journey through life’s waiting periods, much like the paradox of camping, often presents a blend of discomfort and profound peace. We navigate the stickiness of uncertainty, the relentless work of transition, and the exhaustion of seeking a clear path. Yet, within these very challenges lies the potential for incredible growth and renewal. The lessons learned in the liminal space – that waiting is an active journey of change, not passive endurance – empower us to face each obstacle with a newfound sense of purpose.

Even when the path is obscured, and the destination seems distant, the act of trusting the wait becomes a powerful anchor. It allows us to shift from anxious pleading to intentional transformation, knowing that every step, every challenge, and every moment of rest contributes to the person we are becoming and the blessings we are accumulating. Embracing the wait means understanding that strength is renewed, not depleted; that weariness can be overcome; and that the ability to walk without fainting is a divine gift for those who actively engage with their journey of faith. We are not merely waiting *for* something; we are waiting *into* something greater.