“Even in the waiting, I can rest in God’s faithfulness because what He promised may not be here yet, but it will come soon.” Sandi
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise.”
From my journal entry, 2018. Not Yet, but Soon.
I wrote these words in my journal back in 2018, while I was going through cancer treatment. I'd like to share them with you now, just as I wrote them then.
He is Father God, and no matter how dark the valley, He is there. No matter how steep the climb, He holds the safety rope. No matter how lonely the journey, He is a constant companion.
Not yet, but soon, I will be back at my desk, writing and sharing more about this cancer journey and the life lessons it is bringing.
Through the pain, heartache, uncertainty, tears, anguish, and struggle to keep one foot in front of another, faith in God trumps them all. I cannot falter as long as I hold tight to His Hand.
Not yet, but soon, I will be back digging in the dirt, feeling the cool, rich soil in my hands.
Not yet, but soon, this journey will be behind me, and tears of joy will flow as I hold my baby girls close, snuggling, with no concern about a low immunity system.
Not yet, but soon, I will knock on the doors of my wonderful family and friends who have shown up at our “glass door” bringing gifts of love and encouragement. They have loved and encouraged not only me but also my husband in countless ways. On these sleepless nights, I see their faces and pray for each one.
Today I walked through the overgrown, weedy gardens. How thankful I am that through the years I planned, designed, labored, and nurtured these gardens so that today I can walk through them and feel pure enjoyment despite the weeds.
Not yet, but soon, I will pull every one of those invading weeds out of my gardens. But until then, the flowers are still blooming and the bees are humming. Life is good.
Not yet, but soon. Until then, my faithful Father guides me through this journey. I'm learning more about patience in the waiting, about resting in His love, about trusting His truths, and standing on His promises even when I can’t yet see the full picture.
Not yet, but soon.
From Then to Now
It's been several years since I wrote those words in my journal. Those were difficult days, but looking back, I can see God's faithfulness through it all. He brought me through that journey.
And friend, if you're walking through a difficult season, wondering when things will change, I want to encourage you. God hasn't forgotten you. He knows where you are, and He's right there with you. You may not see it yet but think about all the seeds He may be planting along the way. Seeds of faith, patience, trust, and hope. And in His perfect timing, those seeds will bear fruit.
There will be a harvest.
Pause & Reflect
Where are you being invited to practice patience in this season?
How have you experienced God's love and strength while waiting?
Which of His promises do you need to hold onto more tightly right now?
Where Do We Go From Here?
While we wait, the time is not wasted. We can stay rooted in God's Word, letting His promises strengthen our hearts when uncertainty presses in. Our prayers can shift from requests of “When, Lord?” to the deeper trust of “Lord, help me wait with faith.”
Gratitude becomes our daily practice, reminding us that even in the weeds of life, there is still beauty to enjoy. Waiting doesn't mean we stop living. God calls us to keep serving, loving, and growing while He works behind the scenes.
And above all, we rest in His unfailing love, knowing that the One who planted the seeds will bring them to life in His perfect timing.
Let's Pray Together
Lord, when we face a season of waiting, help us to trust You more deeply. Strengthen our hearts when impatience and doubt rise. Teach us to rest in Your love, to stay rooted in Your Word, and to hold fast to Your promises, even when we cannot see the outcome. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7 (NLT)
Friends, thank you for sharing your time with me. Keep this thought in mind as you go your way.
Even when you can't see what God is doing, you can trust His faithfulness. The waiting may be difficult, and the answers may not come when we hope. But God hasn't forgotten you. He is with you in the waiting, and His love never fails.
What did you discover about God's heart today?
Be blessed and always remember... you are loved beyond measure.
Before You Go...
Here are some additional resources and stories you might enjoy.
Enjoy this song, Shelter Me (Elohim Songs: Andy Huynh). Close your eyes and meditate on the presence of Jesus, where the cares of this world fade away.
Life in the Gardens My garden blog. You will find stories and lots of photos of our gardens.
Visit my Bookshop Follow the link to my bookshop where you will see details about my book, Promises & Prayers, a devotional journey exploring the promises of God and His faithfulness during the cancer journey.
Yes, it is amazing how God shelters us constantly. It happens even when we don’t notice and we sometimes can’t see this until we are past the troubles and looking back. So happy it happened for you.
I’m constantly amazed at the way God turns things that seem unbearable into beautiful displays of His love. What beauty He has worked in and through you, my friend.
Thank you for sharing your journey. I heard you speak at our ladies conference 3 years ago and still remember the words, “Not yet, but soon.” It resonated with me because of something I was going through at the time, not cancer, but something life changing. You pointing me to wait patiently was encouraging. Still is.
Thank you for sharing, Sandi. I was in a season of waiting for about two years before I finally got my first novel published. God taught me quite a bit during that time, even though I was hard-headed and impatient. I’m less so now, and that’s because He made me wait.
Warren, when we look back and see how God used our time of waiting to shape us, even when it wasn’t easy, it’s a reminder that His timing is always purposeful, and the waiting is never wasted. Congratulations on your success as an author. Your books show how God used the waiting to prepare you. You are an incredible “word weaver” and paint your stories with vivid details that keep me turning the pages.