We Waited 13 Years for This

After years of prayer and waiting, we finally share the wonderful news that we’re expecting a child! Now, weeks into the pregnancy, we can’t help but reflect on our journey and what the Lord has taught us through this season.

The Things We Learned in the Wait

While medical reports indicated that we couldn’t have children, we learned to trust God in this area too (1 Peter 5:6). The challenge was not just about waiting but making peace with the possibility of our prayer going unanswered.

1. Make Peace With the Process

Throughout this journey, we learned the importance of being at peace. There’s a difference between accepting our circumstances and trusting in God’s purpose. Even though there were times of doubt, we never allowed the situation to define us.

Despite the personal challenge, we continued to serve, pray for others, and keep God at the center.

My wife believed that not having made peace regarding the outcome could have taken her into a deep depression.

The key during seasons of waiting is not to be conquered by the circumstances but to surrender to God’s will and purpose. If you are in a waiting season, I want to encourage you to prioritize God’s purpose and presence–leave the rest to Him (Romans 8:28).

2. Don’t Surrender to Your Surroundings

One thing we did to make sure we didn’t get conquered by our circumstances was to surrender to God’s will. We knew we would be okay with whatever the outcome as long as we were in God’s will and pleasing Him. The Bible tells us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, not to our situations (1 Peter 5:6).

3. Prayer is How We Don’t Waste the Waiting Period

Prayer and worship are essential to making the most of our waiting periods.

It’s vital to maintain prayer as a priority, which often demands effort and commitment. Instead of focusing solely on life goals like marriage or having children, as Christians, our primary focus should be the Lord. This means consistently seeking Him, not just for miracles, but to deepen our relationship with Him. Through prayer, we can truly value our waiting times.

4. God Answers Us With a Promise Before We See the Miracle

During our waiting period, as I visited Ukraine for a second time, I felt as though God had whispered a promise into my heart that we would have a child. In fact, I felt it so deeply that I even sent Lana the picture of a little boy and went out and bought a little Ukrainian outfit by faith. We kept it in our closet for years as a symbol.

It’s His promises that then become like a rema word within you, and you begin to carry it with peace and assurance.

This promise, given to us about nine years ago, was that we would have a child. After that, I stopped praying for a child, trusting entirely in God’s word. Instead, I began to thank Him for the promise.

I recall a moment last year when, during a retreat in the mountains, I felt God tell me that we’d have a child by this time next year. True to His word, this month, a year after that promise, Lana is pregnant.

Amidst other celebrations and breakthroughs in this season, this personal joy stands out.

Conclusion

As we embark on this new chapter, our hearts are filled with gratitude, joy, and a little nervousness. We ask for your prayers for this journey ahead, the beginning was a little rough.

Whatever your season of waiting looks like, I encourage you to remember that the God we serve is faithful, and He is always good. Our role is to trust, pray, and hold onto our faith.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

If you would like to send a blessing as we begin this new chapter, you can do so here.