Faith Through Patience

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9 (NIV) 

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2026!

As we transition from one year to another, we are always inspired to take a retrospective look back. For some, looking back means facing challenging life issues that seemed to drain all their physical and mental juices. Looking back for others means reflecting on the times that brought joy and divine surprises. However, the previous year, through its trials and victories, was a gift that taught us great lessons. 

One of those lessons for me was having faith through patience. As I spoke about before, my daughter and grandchildren's trials and her sickness and death put me in a situation that has tested my faith and my patience. But God has brought us a mighty long way. 

What I noticed about 2025 was that it seemed to be a year of “Times of Refreshing.” God gave us new carpet in our apartment that transformed the atmosphere and brought warmth to the environment. My poor carpet took a beating when all the kids moved in, and I had never replaced it for 16 years. I kept it up through shampooing and vacuuming, but it was just worn out. He also brought “Times of Refreshing” to my grandchildren, who had the relationship with their father and his side of the family's fellowship restored. 

But the biggest surprise came on December 4^th when the Lord answered my prayer. In 2018, the Lord told me to get my driver's license. I began some practice drive time with a church member who offered to teach my granddaughter and I to drive. We had about six months of instruction before Covid interrupted every part of our lives. However, the Lord made the way for my granddaughter and I to take our 30 hours of driving class instructional lessons online from the comfort of our home. In the spring of 2020, He instructed me again to get my driver’s license. “But, Lord, I have tried that, and it’s not working. I don’t have anyone who will give me practice time," I explained. But, He wasn’t finished; actually, he was just beginning the journey for me.

A few months later, a friend at work asked, “So, how is your practice coming along?” 

“It’s not,” I responded. “I have asked a family member to help me, but I haven’t heard from her.”

With a smile in her heart and on her face, “I’ll take you out for practice,” she offered. 

In shock, I sat wondering why she would take me out in her new car? She hadn’t had her own vehicle for 8 years. But she was serious, and I was desperate for help, so together we navigated the practice time, the 2 failed driving tests, and we celebrated the victory when I got my drivers license on May 17, 2021 at the tender age of 58 years old.

However, I had no vehicle of my own, nor did I have the means to purchase or lease one. But I had a very generous neighbor who loaned me her vehicle for 3 years against the advice of all her friends. She even gave me the spare key. When she offered me the use of her car, I was shocked and reluctant. She was trusting me with her car, although she had never seen me drive a car before. She surmised that because the state had issued me a driver’s license, I must have the driving skills. She was right; I had the skills, but not the courage to borrow someone’s vehicle. That was an enormous responsibility that I did not want, nor could I afford. 

Then, a doctor diagnosed my daughter with cervical cancer. As she grew weaker, her parenting duties fell on my shoulders. The grocery shopping, doctor appointments, school responsibilities and the day-to-day raising and care of my grandchildren became my primary responsibility. She fought a valiant fight, but then she was gone from us. With broken hearts, we kept on as I assumed the sole primary caregiver and parental responsibilities of the 3 minor children. Besides the responsibility of taking my mom to her appointments and doing her grocery shopping. 

Then in August 2024, the Lord spoke, “When are you going to ask me for your car? The last thing you asked for was practice time.”

That was true, and that’s when He sent my neighbor in 2022. She was retired and mercifully helped with taking my daughter to her appointments and allowing me to take care of my other family travel responsibilities.

At the end of November 2025, my neighbor, who had given me the free use of her vehicle, had to stop because of insurance concerns. I understood she needed to protect her best interests. At the time, I did not know that her grace would no longer be required because the Lord was up to something. I thanked her for her bravery in allowing me to use the car. Then, I broke the news to my mom. Immediately she went into panic mode, like she always does. And 3 days later she announced, “I am going to buy us a car.”

She had mentioned it a few months before, but I didn't take her seriously. She had told my sister and I as teenagers that she would never buy us cars or allow us to use her car. However, when she could no longer drive because of health issues, she gave my sister her vehicle. And through another miracle, on December 4, 2025, she purchased a vehicle that she stated she did not want to drive. Initially, she told me she owned the car; I was just the driver. But I think the Lord had a little talk with her, and a few days later, she told me she bought the car for me. It didn’t matter who the owner was to me, because I was listed as the sole driver per her request. So either way, I was just grateful that we still had a vehicle we could use with the car insurance in my name that I can pay for. But God was not satisfied, and she admitted the car was mine. She is making the payments because my budget will not allow me the financial luxury to do so.

Looking back at all the ways the Lord maneuvered us into place and provided in His due season makes my heart smile and keeps me humble. It took 4 years for me to get my vehicle, and He used His means and the financial blessing He recently gave my Mom to answer His will, my prayer, and my family's needs. Faith through patience was the key. 

I just want to encourage you to hold on; God has a plan and help is on the way.

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24 (NIV)

Prayer:

Father, it's a new year, and I am reminded in Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV), that "Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

Thank You Lord, for your unfailing love and mercies that great us each day. In this new day and in this new year, please continue to hear our hearts cry. We don't always know what to do, what to say, or how to handle situations we encounter, but we will continue to trust You. You always have our best interests at heart, and a way of escape through every test and trial. Lead us this year and navigate us through this unfamiliar time. We are fully and faithfully dependent upon You. In the name of Jesus, amen!