Faith in Real Life: When God Answers — But Not How You Expected
Life doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we expect. Sometimes, the answer isn’t a yes or a no — it’s a shift we never saw coming.
This is one of those stories.
The Desire for Another Baby
For a while now, the thought of adding another baby to our family has been sitting heavy on my heart. I’ve had this feeling — this sense — that maybe there’s a soul waiting to join us… maybe even complete us. (Though let’s be honest, I did say Jorie was going to complete our family, so there’s that.)
I even started making a mental timeline. If we wanted to have a summer baby — to work around my new gymnastics coaching job — we’d start trying in the fall. It felt logical. But still… I needed clarity. I brought it to God. I prayed, asking Him to show me His plan. Was this deep desire part of His will for our family? Or was I just running headfirst into some really strong ovulation hormones?
When Life Flipped Upside Down
Then everything in our world got flipped upside down.
Recently, our five-year-old son was removed from childcare due to behavioral challenges. (That’s a whole story of its own — I’ll be sharing more about that soon.) Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: step away from my coaching job or leave Garon home all day without structure while I worked.
I felt God place the answer right on my heart — it was time to step back. Time to fully show up for Garon in this season. With occupational therapy ahead and getting his IEP set before school starts, I knew my mental and emotional health couldn’t take on all the things without something breaking. And I didn’t want to give a job I love a version of me that wasn’t whole.
(Side note — I’ll be sharing more soon on those hard mom decisions and what it really means to choose your family over everything else.)
Seeing God’s Answer in the Unexpected
But here’s the thing — I don’t see any of this as coincidence.
A year ago, before I came back to my faith, I’m not sure how I would’ve handled this. But now? I honestly believe this is God answering the prayers I’ve been whispering — and sometimes sobbing — into the quiet.
I believe He’s showing me that right now is not the time to grow our family. That clarity will come if that season is meant for us. I also see His hand in answering our financial prayers. By pulling Garon out of childcare, we’re actually saving more than I was making at my job. What felt like a loss at first now feels like provision.
I also see how I was slowly pushing aside my bigger vision — the one I truly believe God planted in my heart — for something that wasn’t part of the long game. Coaching brought me joy, but God seems to be asking me to hold on for something more.
And maybe the biggest reminder of all?
My family, my husband, my kids — they are my calling.
I know that’s not the “progressive” thing to say. But I am fully confident that I’m meant to serve and care for them. That’s who I am. It’s who I’ve always been. And when I saw a threat to my son’s well-being, I knew exactly where I needed to be.
Choosing Faith Over Fear
So yes… this means we’re hitting pause on the idea of another baby.
Could it mean we’re done?
Maybe.
Is that a hard pill to swallow?
Also yes.
But I’ve placed this in God’s hands. If there’s another soul meant to join our family, I trust they’ll find their way to us in His time — not mine.
And even though trusting in the God I once turned away from is still a challenge some days… when I look back on the path He’s led me down, I can see how every twist and turn had its purpose. I’m learning that if I just have faith, it’ll all make sense — maybe not today, but one day.
Let’s Talk About Trusting God’s Plan
What are you wrestling with right now? Is there something you’re praying for clarity on? I would love to pray for you. Feel free to drop a comment below or send me a message — you don’t have to carry it alone.
XOXO
Faithfully holding on,
Jessica