A Sunday Story from the Heart

A few years ago, I had an experience that completely changed my perspective on waiting and taught me the true value of patience.

Click here to listen to this devotional written and narrated by Tara Borgonah.

Girl, truth be told, patience has never been my strong suit. I’ve always been the kind of gal who wants to dive in headfirst, grab the bull by the horns, and make things happen NOW, not tomorrow, nor next week. Waiting? It’s never come naturally to me.

Maybe you can relate. Perhaps it's the instant gratification culture we live in, where everything is just a click away. Or maybe it's simply human nature to want what we want, when we want it. Whatever the reason, patience has always been a challenge for me. But over time, I’ve realized patience is not just about learning to wait—it’s about learning to trust. Trusting that there’s meaning in the pause, even when it’s not yet clear.

A few years ago, I had an experience that completely changed my perspective on waiting and taught me the true value of patience. During a visit to see my father, I was surprised one morning when he approached me with a Bible in his hand. At first, I didn’t think much of it. It wasn’t unusual to see him holding a Bible. He has always been a man of deep faith, guiding our family with wisdom, humility, and love through both his words and actions. But what happened next left me speechless, a rare occurrence for this chatty Cathy.

Holding the Bible gently in his weathered hands, he said, “This has been mine since I was 13. Your great-grandmother gave it to me for my birthday in 1953. It’s been with me through thick and thin, and over the years I’ve filled it with bits and pieces of my life.”

He opened it carefully, revealing notes scrawled in the margins, verses underlined with care, and small, timeworn clippings tucked between the pages. “I’ve marked the verses that spoke to me in difficult times, recorded milestones like my marriage to your mother, and the dates of your birth and your brother’s. This Bible has been a part of my journey for as long as I can remember."

He paused, his gaze grew distant, as though memories from decades past were unfolding before him. After a moment, he looked back down at the book in his hands and added, “It has carried me through many seasons of joy and hardship.”

Then, with a tenderness I’ll never forget, he handed me the Bible and said, “I know it’s a bit worn and rough around the edges, but I want you to have it.” For a moment, I stood there, stunned, cradling this sacred book that had journeyed with my father through a lifetime of faith, love, and memories. This wasn’t just a Bible—it was a part of him, a reflection of his life, devotion, and our family’s story.

Each mark, scribbled note, and underlined verse on its pages, etched with meaning and significance, echoed his faith and carried the weight of his legacy. As I turned the delicate pages, I pictured him sitting in his favorite chair by the window, glasses perched on his nose, pen in hand, lost in thought as he read and reflected. This Bible had been his companion through moments of joy, trials, and uncertainty, serving as a source of strength and hope through every chapter of his life. To me, it was far more than just a Bible; it was a living testament to the man he was and the enduring faith he held dear.

Overwhelmed by the weight of the moment, with tears brimming in my eyes, I turned to my father and said, “Thanks, Dad. I think it’s perfect just the way it is—just as our Father in Heaven is perfect.” That moment remains etched in my memory, a profound exchange between father and daughter that revealed how God's plans far exceed our own expectations. It taught me a lesson I hold close to this day: there is purpose in the waiting.

What my earthly father couldn’t have known, but what my Heavenly Father had orchestrated all along, was that this treasured gift was the long-awaited answer to a prayer I had carried in my heart for over a year. I had been asking God to lead me to the Bible He wanted me to have. A Bible that would not only accompany me on my journey but also help shape my faith in meaningful ways.

Over the course of that year, I lost track of how many times I was tempted to buy a new, beautifully bound Bible. I’d find myself in the store, running my fingers over the smooth, gilded pages, admiring the elegant covers and thoughtful designs. Yet, each time, I felt a gentle tug on my heart and a soft whisper urging me to “Wait.”

There were moments when I wondered why, and the uncertainty filled me with a pang of impatience. Why wasn't it the right time? Why wait for something so simple? Why hold off when I could easily just choose one for myself?

But now, as I stood holding my father’s Bible, its pages marked with his notes, underlined verses, and the unmistakable signs of years of faithful devotion, I finally understood. God hadn’t been asking me to wait to deny me something. He had been preparing me for something far greater than I could have ever imagined!

There are times when we pray for answers, and the silence that follows is deafening. We yearn for doors to open, funding to pour forth, clarity to emerge, and solutions to unfold. Yet, when they don’t come right away, it’s all too easy to feel discouraged. At times, the waiting feels like wandering through a barren desert—an endless landscape of confusion, isolation, and frustration.

One truth I’ve learned during my time spent in those dry desert seasons is this: God’s timing is never random. It's intentional, purposeful, and always aligned with our greater good. While I know waiting can be difficult, we can find comfort in knowing that in the waiting, God is not idle; He is at work, preparing blessings and solutions that exceed anything we could hope for, dream of, or imagine. Blessings and solutions that may not come when or in ways we expect, but that always arrive at the exact moment they are meant to.

How often do we find ourselves waiting, questioning what’s next, or wondering if we’re on the right path? These moments can feel heavy, even lonely, yet they are often where God does His most transformative work.

Looking back, that moment when my father gifted me his cherished Bible was far more than an answered prayer. It was a profound lesson in trusting God’s perfect timing and finding purpose in the waiting, even when the road ahead remains unclear.

Have you ever experienced a moment when waiting on God’s timing led to something far greater than you imagined? Or perhaps you’re trudging through a desert season right now, one where your prayers seem unanswered, and the silence is hard to bear. If that resonates, I want to encourage you to hold on. Keep trusting. Embrace patience, not as a burden but as a step in the process. Waiting isn’t punishment; it’s preparation.

Take it from someone who struggles with waiting, there’s profound peace in trusting that God's timing, though different from ours, is always perfect.

Every delay, every “not yet,” and every moment of uncertainty is woven into a greater plan, one that ultimately reveals God’s goodness in ways we may never expect.

Sweet Sister, stay hopeful and remember that life’s sweetest blessings often follow its most difficult seasons.

Feel free to leave a comment below and let us know how this devotional has touched your heart. We would love to hear from you!