“How much longer?” the small voice asks from the car seat, barely fifteen minutes into an eight-hour drive with extended family. I smile at my toddler cousin, but after the fifth or sixth time, I realize: This is the very thing I’ve been asking God. Maybe you’ve wondered this, too?
Day after day after day. Prayer after prayer after prayer.
We collectively stand in grocery lines and sit in uncomfortable chairs at Urgent Care. We listen to elevator music while we’re placed on hold and submit resumes as the bank account dwindles. We wait and pray. We wait and hope. We wait and wonder, “How much longer, God, until You heal what’s broken? How much longer until there’s a diagnosis, a baby, a restored relationship, a job, a way through the seemingly impossible?”
It isn’t that we don’t trust God’s goodness and sovereignty. We’re strapped in, seat belts buckled, certain that God will bring us all the way Home. We know the storm won’t be the end of the story, but, well, we wonder exactly how long the storm will rage.
Or, at least I do.
I often think about how it’s a gift that many stories in Scripture are familiar to me. I’ve heard the names since childhood and can usually recall bullet points or at least a few details. But there’s a danger: I forget the timeline. I forget just how long these real people sat in metaphorical “waiting rooms.”
Noah didn’t build the ark overnight. It took many years before the project was complete and rain fell for the first time.
Sarah and Abraham longed for a child, and for decades they received disappointment month after month after month.
Joseph was seventeen when his brothers sold him into slavery; he spent years in prison and was nearly forty when his family arrived in Egypt during the famine.
Moses fled Egypt and lived in Midian for forty years before he saw the burning bush.
The Israelites wandered in circles, walking laps around in the wilderness for forty years.
David waited many years between being anointed as king and sitting on the throne.
The people of God waited 400 seemingly silent years between Malachi and Matthew, longing to hear a word from the Lord.
Jesus waited thirty years before beginning His public ministry.
There are plenty of times things changed in an instant, but waiting, it seems, is woven throughout Scripture.
I think of this as I walk through an outdoor labyrinth in my city. The summer sun beats down, warming the carefully arranged stone pavers. I begin, slow and steady, and quickly realize that I can’t look too far ahead. The entire path is clear from above but from where I stand the view is limited. I blink back tears as it weaves in and out, nearing the center only to curve out once again, and I say out loud in the empty garden, “This is what it feels like right now, God. Each step brings me closer, but I’m literally wandering in circles here. All I can do is take the next step, trusting the path will lead where it has promised but not knowing what it will bring along the way or how long it will take.”
Of course, I’m talking about more than a narrow path underneath my feet. There are waiting rooms I’ve been in for so long now that I know every piece of art on the wall, every chair that wobbles, every crinkle and crease of old magazines stacked on the side table. More than a decade has passed and I’m still here, still praying and believing, trusting and weeping, asking and hoping. Still waiting.
Step after step after step. Lap after lap after lap.
What I want is a miracle — and instead, I receive just enough strength to carry through the day. I keep praying for power that heals and restores — and He gives grace that sustains. It feels like manna, like exactly enough for today and no more. Nothing extra, nothing in the reserves, no stockpile set aside for a rainy day, a long night, or a winter that endures.
But always, manna.
“How much longer until XYZ?” I wonder, knowing the path is clear from above. “I won’t leave your side. I’ll be there every step of the way,” God seems to whisper in the wind, the leaves swaying with the afternoon breeze. It’s not the answer I’m asking for, but it’s the promise I need. And miraculously it turns out to be no less of a miracle, the grace that sustains when winter endures.
Manna after manna after manna. Mercy after mercy after mercy.
Looking back, fingerprints of His faithfulness mark every page. God was there then and He’s here now, with us in every waiting room, working for our good and His glory. Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps us hold tightly to joy in the present and hope for the future. That doesn’t eliminate our questions, but it reminds us of the story beneath the story: it won’t be long now until winter permanently gives way to resurrection.
One day “how much longer” will be no longer.
One day, everything will be colored the shade of restoration.
But for today, we hope. We pray “on earth as it is in heaven.” We remember that God will not be rushed, but neither will He be late. We wait and we trust and we find that it’s true: God really is going to carry us through.
If you’re asking “How much longer?” and you’d like more encouragement for the waiting room seasons, Kaitlyn’s book Even If Not: Living, Loving, and Learning in the in Between will help you choose hope for tomorrow when today feels like a question mark.
arian says
hey kaitlyn! idk if you’re still in the decade plus of waiting – but me too. i prayed that if that is true, that God allows the wait to be over now and we get our fervent prayers answered soon. maybe today?? who knows. what we both know is that someday is coming!! may today be a joyful day for you. 🙂
Madeline says
I feel like a broken record with my prayers as I wait and wait and wait. Sometimes I just give up asking. Maybe what I want is not what I need or am I asking for the wrong thing? But as I read what you write I am reminded that so many before me have waited for so very long. And I thank you for that reminder.
Kathy Francescon says
Never give up and pray also that His will be done…He will answer in His time and His way and it will be most wonderful!! A day to the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years are as a day! Have a beautiful day!
Beth Williams says
Madeline,
Never ever give up in prayer. Remember the persistent widow. Luke 18 1-8 In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
God wants us to keep on praying & never ever give up. It may take a while for God to answer. But it is always in His perfect timing. I will pray for you also. For God alone knows the situation & He alone will give you relief one way or another.
Blessings 🙂
Kaitlyn Bouchillon says
I’m praying tonight for fresh manna for you tomorrow, Madeline!
Marilyn Nutter says
“Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps us hold tightly to joy in the present and hope for the future” resonated with me. God is faithful in the celebrations and in the challenges. His character never changes and faithfulness is one of those attributes. Thank you for reminding us that daily manna after manna is our grace in the waiting.
Kathy Francescon says
Beautiful! Especially loved the last sentence! That is one to hang on my frig! Bless you!
Kaitlyn Bouchillon says
In the celebrations and in the challenges… YES. Thank God for God, amen?
Ruth Mills says
Kaitlyn, between your words today & Twyla’s yesterday I’m a tad nervous God is paving the way for a season of questions & waiting. But how encouraging that He is teaching us to treasure His presence more than answered prayers & He gives enough strength for today! What a thoughtful editor of (in)courage to put y’all’s posts back to back highlighting our great & almighty God! Blessings! (((0)))
Kaitlyn Bouchillon says
Holy Spirit is all over that! I wrote the post weeks ago and didn’t know about Twyla’s until the day it went live. “Fun” isn’t quite the right word, but how fun that the timing speaks to you — when it’s a post about timing, waiting, etc! 🙂
Gayle says
Thank you. This comes at a perfect time in my life for these encouraging words. I appreciate it so much and I hope it helps others as well.
Kaitlyn Bouchillon says
I’m so glad it arrived in your inbox at just the right time. Thank you for reading!
Brenda M. Russell says
Oh Heavenly Father, why are we so impatient? Are we too filled with “pride” to learn to “trust and obey” and leave all the consequences to You? I’m not sure of my own personal answer. I don’t want to be unfaithful in waiting on Your Grace and Mercy. My Grandmother was a very patient woman of God. Thank You Lord for the Love You taught her to share with me.
I want to represent You well Lord and I want to be a great ambassador for the Kingdom of God. I’m going to graduate from Kindergarten one day. I don’t want to rush into a position that I’m too immature to handle. Please allow mentorship to be part of my Journey. Then one day I might become a mentor also.
With much Gratitude,
Brenda
A Beloved Daughter of God
Beth says
Thank you! I really need these reminders this morning as I am experiencing more transitions and waiting this fall. I’ll definitely share this devotional with others too.
Beth in Ontario
Kaitlyn Bouchillon says
Thank you so much for reading and kindly sharing, Beth! It’s truly appreciated. May your fall be beautiful — even in the waiting.
KimmieG says
And there’s always something……
Gail says
“ What I want is a miracle – and instead I receive just enough strength to carry through the day. ”
So thankful for the manna to carry through each day.
grace.ggintl@gmail.com says
I am 76 and very near to 77 soon. I am going through the longest season of depression and anxiety of my life….and I keep wondering and asking and praying “how long dear Lord?” And quite frankly I am very lonely, but I believe He will never leave me nor forsake me. A short while ago the Lord visited me in the night, all night, with His wonderful peace and comfort, so I hold onto that memory and I wait on His perfect timing. God bless you all as you wait also. He won’t be late!
Kathy Francescon says
Grace, I am so sorry to hear you are depressed and anxious. And I can identify with your loneliness also. I wish I could visit with you right now, with a good morning hug and a plate of warm cookies.
I will be holding you in my thoughts and prayers that God will help you through this difficult time and send you a reminder that He is with you every moment of every day. I don’t know you, but I love you and we are sisters in Christ! You are not alone.
Kathy Francescon says
Grace, I am so sorry to hear you are depressed and anxious. And I can identify with your loneliness also. I wish I could visit with you right now, with a good morning hug and a plate of warm cookies.
I will be holding you in my thoughts and prayers that God will help you through this difficult time and send you a reminder that He is with you every moment of every day. Blessings! And no, He won’t be late!
Ruth B Mills says
I’m standing in line behind Kathy with a pot of hot tea to go with those warm cookies! Praying you discern the difference between alone and lonely on a daily basis! (((0)))
Kathy Francescon says
Ruth, how I would love sharing that pot of tea with you and Grace! Isn’t it wonderful to connect with each other for comfort and lifting others up, tho we may be miles and miles apart! Your reply gave my heart such a lift and I so hope Grace knows she is not alone! Have a blessed day, sweet sister in Christ!
Kaitlyn Bouchillon says
Add me to the growing line of sisters in Christ who will be praying for you, Grace! One of my very favorite quotes (so much so that it ended up inspiring an (in)courage post last year) says “Dawn has conquered dark since the Maker spoke the world. The night is deep, but light runs deeper.” I’m praying tonight that peace, comfort and Light will be near to you until morning arrives.
Janet W says
Thank you Kaitlyn. I needed to read this reminder today. Thank you so much!
“Looking back, fingerprints of His faithfulness mark every page”
God is never late! \0/
Kaitlyn Bouchillon says
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment, Janet!
Dawn Ferguson-Little says
Thank you for this brilliant message. It reminds us that we need to keep trusting God no matter what we go through in life. We always expect God works miracles in our terms and our ways. But sometimes God says no and makes you wait. To see how strong you faith is in him for him to work the miracle in his timing not ours. All we have to do keep praying and stand on the promises in his word and say them over us time and time again. Say God your words says you will do this for me in this situation and Believe God will. Not keep asking God how much longer. God sometimes make us wait to see how strong our faith is in him. We have to remember God does not answer the way we like but in his way. Thank you for today’s reading keeping you all incourage in prayer Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx
Twyla Franz says
“It’s not the answer I’m asking for, but it’s the promise I need.”
I feel this deep down in my bones!
Bethany says
Kaitlyn, this line jumped out at me from your post, “…the grace that sustains when winter endures.” And I had to get out my journal to copy it down!
Thank you for your thoughtful and powerful post today. So many turns of phrase from this that will be ringing in my ears and imprinting themselves on my heart over the next little while. I needed this today: “I keep praying for power that heals and restores- and He gives grace that sustains.” Thank you for sharing what God has been showing you and blessing us in the process too!
Kaitlyn Bouchillon says
Thank you for your thoughtful encouragement! I truly appreciate it, Bethany.
Vera says
“It feels like manna, like exactly enough for today and no more. Nothing extra, nothing in the reserves, no stockpile set aside for a rainy day, a long night, or a winter that endures.” – Yes, that is exactly the miracle God provides to us day after day – the strength and the health we need to carry through this one day. Tomorrow is a new day, new manna, new grace, new mercies… isn’t that a wonderful miracle, to be able to depend on the ONE that loves us knowing we won’t be disappointed?
Thank you for these powerful words,
Vera
Beth Williams says
Kaitlyn,
Last fall my job changed suddenly. I find myself with duties I don’t care for & not using my skills. I was frustrated to say the least. I tried many times to land a position elsewhere, but God kept saying no. The doors kept slamming shut. Prayer after prayer went up. Finally I took stock of the position. Listed any good thing I could find in the job. My coworkers like me, I get three days a week off, get overtime always. God has shown me how this is best for me now.
Back in 2007 my mom was released from hospital & rehab finally. She was in 5 different places during a short period. When she got home she was bed ridden with dementia. It was getting worse as time went on. My prayer to God was how long oh Lord. Please take her home with you. I can’t stand to see her like this. One August Wednesday in 2009 He answered that prayer. His timing was perfect.
Blessings 🙂
Sandy says
Such a great reflection that resonates with all who are human.. thank you!!!
Gail S says
Hello Kaitlyn,
I enjoyed your article. So many things in the past 8 years have changed for me. I lost my husband to cancer, but he passed away within two days of being home. I thought that we had more time, but God knew better and took him home. I feel blessed that he didn’t have to suffer long. He was strong, but the time in the hospital, the pain, and unable to eat made him irritable.
I know he is with his family and his friends. I miss him, but we will be together again.
I try very hard to be positive. There are days that my patience wears thin, but with a 4-year-old toddler that’s expected. I’m blessed that my daughter, SIL, and the teenagers are living with me. I pray daily, not just for me and my family, but for my friends, neighbors, and of course family. I am Blessed.