The In-Between Place
by April Osteen Simons
So in our house, no matter how old my kids are, I always buy the “seasonal” goodies…candies, cookies, etc…and display them in a pretty glass container. Oreos are definitely one of those items. In the Spring, they make the yellow, double stuffed ones and look so pretty displayed. It just adds that little extra something that makes me happy and my kids love it!
Speaking of Oreos, I’ve learned this…you can tell a lot about a person by the way they eat an Oreo. My kids, for instance, some eat them one bite at a time and some take it apart and eat the filling first. (I know some of you do that!) And then there’s my son who takes a big glass of milk and dips that whole cookie into it before he devours it.
Have you ever thought about this…
…an Oreo, without the filling, would just be two dry, plain chocolate cookies? It wouldn’t be very exciting. I mean, it’s what’s in the middle that makes it. That’s where the good stuff is found. That’s what has caused an Oreo to be the success it has been.
You may wonder, what in the world does an Oreo have to do with anything? Well, I’m glad you asked! Think about life. It’s what happens in the in-between places that say a lot about our lives. It’s the in-between places where we experience the “stuff” of life and where we find out what we’re really made of.
Let me break it down. The in-between times are the times in our lives:
- We are going from point A to point B
- We are between a rock and a hard place
- We are in that “waiting place”
- Waiting for our breakthrough
- Waiting for our miracle
- Waiting for things to get better
- Waiting for things to change
- Waiting for the next season
The in-between times are what we are all in. It’s the dash between the time we are born and the time we die. It’s in those in-between places of life where we find out the good, the bad and the ugly about ourselves. Maybe we could even say, we find out who we really are.
You know, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle and live in the in-between places of life. The reality is this: the in-between times are what makes the journey. It’s what gets you to where you need to be–your destiny.
We all know God has a plan for our lives. The scripture assures us He has a future and a hope for us. But do you realize the enemy also has a plan for your life? He doesn’t want you to have what God says you’ll have or do what God says you can do. There’s a fight over how your story will end.
It’s your destiny that satan wants to keep you from stepping into. His greatest fear is your tomorrow. He will try to get you down or distracted and frustrated “today” so you’ll be too worn out to make it to the future God has in store. He wants to wear you down with the “stuff” of life. He wants to steal your joy and overwhelm you with life.
But Jesus says, don’t get me mixed up with the devil! Jesus came that we might have an abundant life! Sure there will be trials are difficult times, but He promises to never leave us or turn His face away from us. In fact, He is cheering us on and He is always just a prayer away.
What you are currently facing may be really hard. In fact, it just might be the hardest thing you’ve ever faced. Let me encourage you–don’t quit. Don’t think God has forgotten about you. Don’t think you are being punished. Instead, let your faith become stronger. Depend on God like never before. Act like He is Who He says He is and He can do what His Word says He can do!
The in-between times are a time for growing. They are the times you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come. And remember, it’s not just about you...you are teaching your children how to act and believe in the difficult times of life. You’re teaching what to do when life happens. You’re showing them what you really believe about God when the “stuff” of life happens.
Know this:
- Every time you don’t give up, you are teaching your children to not give up when life gets hard.
- Every time you get back up after falling down, you are teaching your children to be “get back uppers.”
- Every time you speak life during difficulty, you are teaching your children to speak life.
- Every time you show your children you still love God and believe in Him during a challenge, you are teaching your children when life gets tough, you run TO God and not away from Him.
Remember, inheritance is what you leave TO someone. Legacy is what you leave IN someone.
Let me encourage you-don’t get discouraged and don’t live frustrated. Know that God has great things in store for you. He believes in you. He knows what’s in you. You can make it through anything because you have God on your side. Galatians 6:9 says, at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Listen, stay faith-filled. Keep praying, keep believing, keep going and remember, no storm lasts forever.
Your story is being made in these in-between times. Let’s make it a good one for future generations to read.
April xo
If there’s one word to describe April it is “Encourager.” In a world filled with negativity and hopelessness, she brings an inspiring message of hope and life that helps you deal with the demands and challenges of everyday living. 
