When the Waiting is Hard to Bear

Written by Mrs. Lydia Lowman

Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing in prayer”

Several years ago, my doctor told me I needed surgery for health reasons. What she said next shattered me. She explained that after the procedure, I would never be able to have children again.

My doctor did not know that at that time my husband and I still had the desire for another child. We have a daughter that is 15 years older than our son , but we wanted so badly to give our son a sibling close to his age.

For years afterwards, I cried in private and prayed endlessly, asking the Lord to heal my heart and take away the pain - The guilt of not being able to give our son something he wanted so badly.

A little sister.

I did not realize at the time, that God was using that season of waiting and grief to prepare me for the healing that was to come.

A few months ago as my eyes filled with tears and I gripped my husband’s hand, we walked into our daughter’s delivery room where our first grandchild was born.

In that sacred moment, as our 10 year old son approached that tiny, perfect little girl, I heard God‘s voice whispering in my heart:

“ Right there ~ I just answered your prayer. Lydia, I didn’t answer in the way you expected or even the way you might have chosen, but I did answer. I have not ignored your pain, your tears, or your desire for your son have a little sister. You see I saw the whole picture, and I had a bigger plan. This little girl would be like a sister to him, and the bond they will share will be like no other.”

In that moment I knew that healing was taking place and God was answering so many prayers in His perfect timing and beautiful way.There is something so comforting that even in those moments of worship, tears and crying out to the Lord, even though I felt alone I knew I was not. I kept my faith in Him trusting that one day, somehow He would answer and it would all make sense.

One of the Bible verses I held on to was in

2 Kings 20:5 “I have heard your prayers and seen your tears, and I will heal you.”

Now, every time I look at my husband, and son holding our granddaughter , I am reminded of His faithfulness. And with every moment I cradle that sweet baby girl, another piece of my heart is made whole again.

I don’t know your story or what season of life you are in but I do know God is faithful. I want to encourage you to hold on and trust God. He is a so good and loves us more than we could imagine. You are not being ignored. Your answer is coming. Your healing is coming. Just trust Him. His timing is perfect.

There are so many amazing examples in the Bible of God’s faithfulness and answering prayers in His perfect timing.

Hannah prayed for a child and God gave her a son named Samuel who would serve then Lord in the temple.

Abraham and Sarah longed for a son that God promised and He kept His promise and Isaac was born.

Zechariah and Elizabeth prayed for a child and God gave them a son named John would later be called John the Baptist that would prepare the way for Jesus’ coming.

The woman with the issue of blood was desperate to be healed and her faith in touching the hem of Jesus’ garment healed her.

Joseph prayed to be freed from slavery and God allowed him to became second in command in Egypt.

In each of these stories these people had to wait and trust God’s timing and believe that He was going to be faithful to answer their prayer.