~ written by Connie Dunmyer
I recently read a memory-story of when my 3-year-old daughter was very excited about getting to visit her grandparents. She naturally asked “When?”, “Now?!” And we told her that we would be going “in 3 weeks”. And so every day, she would ask “is it 3 weeks yet?!”
If you’ve ever traveled with a child, you’ve likely heard “Are we there yet?”, or “When are we going?” . . .
When … when … when … when …
Typically it comes out as a bit of a whine – a long, drawn out whine.
Even as an adult, I find myself “when”ing to my heavenly Father.
When is this trouble going to pass?
When is the light going to shine again?
When are You going to answer me?
Are we there yet?
I saw this list of reasons why children whine. And I couldn’t help but see myself in my interactions with my heavenly Father:
- Being overtired, hungry, or feeling sick. (The physical quite often affect the emotional and the spiritual.)
- Being overwhelmed or stressed. Changes in routine or unsettling events. (Give it all to Jesus, and pray for His peace.)
- Seeking attention. Kids learn quite quickly that whining is effective at getting a reaction. (But why do we adults think God gives in to whining?)
- Testing boundaries. A child may test if they can get their way by being persistent. (Ooops ... and ouch. I think this touches a nerve.)
- Need for connection. A child may simply want to be closer to a parent. (I can honestly say this is me most days.)
- Disappointment when things don't go their way. (The selfishness of self. I must instead try to see through the eyes of eternity.)
- Some are naturally more sensitive and emotional. (Yes. But I can learn the discipline of not giving into those emotions.)
- Feeling unheard or understood. (God's timetable is rarely my timetable, so waiting can "feel" like being unheard. But it's not.)
Anything sound familiar? Because it sure does to me. Thankfully, God is a Good and Perfect Father. So He knows just how to react to my whining or “when”ing. What’s more – He gives me promises for the “when”s in life.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – “The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them WHEN you sit at home and WHEN you walk along the road, WHEN you lie down and WHEN you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.”
The "When":
- When I sit at home – in the comfort of my home & family.
- When I walk/drive on the road – when I travel or commute, when I exercise.
- When I lie down – when I go to bed or take a rest.
- When I get up – when I’m awake or awakened even in the middle of the night.
The "What":
- Love God - not with mere words, but with my whole heart and soul and strength.
- Think about God's love for us and his commandments and promises.
- Talk about God - to my children, to my grandchildren, to everyone.
- Set up reminders all around me of God's goodness, His love and mercy, of His promises.
Isaiah 43:2 – “WHEN you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and WHEN you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. WHEN you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
The promise is I’m never alone – not even during the worst of the worst.
So when I am alone – or when I “feel” like I’m all alone… so when I’m drowning in emotions or in debt… so when I’m being hit on all sides by waves of problems, affliction, pain, injustice… so when I’m in the middle of a fight so bad, it could ruin my reputation… when these things happen (and they will, and they do, and they are), I need not fear. For I’m not alone – and He Who is with me is greater and stronger than everything else around me.
2 Kings 6:16 – “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Everything God does for us or allows us to go through is for eternal purposes. His vision far surpasses ours. But God has also covenanted to supply our very human needs. And this is no mere “pinky-swear”. It’s covenant.
Isaiah 41:17-18 – “WHEN the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
God will provide. He will bring springs of water – from underground – from under DRY LAND. It’s under ground. I cannot see it. I couldn’t find it if I tried. He will point me to that spring just like He did for Hagar. Genesis 21:19 – “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.”
Psalm 27:10 – “WHEN my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.”
Even if every single person rejects or abandons me, God will never, ever forsake me.
“God will perfect that which concerns us. We must set ourselves to SEEK HIS FACE AND THE STRENGTH OF HIS PROMISES, if we would know triumph…” – Grace Grows Best in Winter
“… for WHEN I am weak, then am I strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:10
God cannot lie. He IS truth. He doesn’t just tell the truth – He IS truth. I can trust Him. I can trust His words. I can trust His promises. That is a “WHEN” with the answer of “NOW”.
“And now, little children, abide in him, so that WHEN he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” – 1 John 2:28
He will appear. Not simply at death or the end of this age, but He will appear – indeed He HAS appeared – with answers, with healing, with joy, with peace, with salvation, with water, with sustenance, with His very Spirit abiding in me. May I prove faithful and be standing unashamed at His appearance.
“Are we there yet?” – oh, yes, we are “There” because He is “Here”!
Find More "Yield" Articles | Get Future "Yield" Delivered to Your Inbox
© 2025: Connie F. Dunmyer, All Rights Reserved.