About the Author

Kristen Strong, author of Back Roads to Belonging and Girl Meets Change, writes as a friend offering meaningful encouragement for each season of life so you can see it with hope instead of worry. She and her US Air Force veteran husband, David, have three children and live in Colorado...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
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  1. Kristen this post blessed my heart so much this morning. I am in a season of waiting and I understand what you are talking about. The verse you shared from Isaiah is a treasure for me to hold onto. Think I need to put that one in my kitchen window where I’ll see it every day. Right now I am a late 30 something wifey longing for a family. I am waiting to have surgery for Asherman’s Syndrome as my womb is closed with scar tissue. It is a hard place to be. I am looking for contentment and needed to be reminded to seek for it in the Lord and in my community of Christian women. There are many blessings around me and I need to look for them and give thanks for all that God has given me.

    • Stephanie, thank you so much for sharing part of your story here. The waiting is no easy thing, to say the least! I’m on my knees for you right now, praying His peace that passes all understanding over your season of waiting. Will you please keep us posted as to when you have your surgery? Lifting you up, Sister. Much love to you!

  2. I too am in a season of “wait and see.” My husband and I are in the midst of fertility treatments and are currently 15 months into our desert time of waiting. While it is hard road to talk we are confident that God’s plan is best and better than we can expect or imagine. We know He is faithful even in the desert times.

    I am so encouraged by your post and in(courage) in general. This group of writers blesses me each day. You have encouraged me to take inventory of ALL the many blessings in my life (despite the things I think I am missing). God bless!

    • Brittnie, you are a wise, wise woman…”taking inventory of ALL the many blessings in my life.” I’m convinced there’s no better way to live – especially during desert times – than expressing gratitude. Like our Ann Voskamp has said, gratitude always proceeds the miracle! Also? I’ve walked that road of infertility, too, and it’s a tough one. I’m lifting you up right now, Sister. We love you!

  3. I am in my desert season right now so I am thankful that I read your post today. Wait and see is a wonderful message. It all goes back to trusting that God has great things ahead…even in the midst of the trials and tribulations of right now.

  4. Wow! I can’t thank you enough for the blessing you have given me with these words. I wake up and am in a desert situation where I don’t really know what to do. But those words: wait and see, are such a blessing. I have never been good at waiting but I know with God’s help I can learn. Thank you!

    • Paola, sometimes I make toddlers proud with my fit-throwing attitude towards waiting. It isn’t easy, fo’ sho’! But He is always trustworthy. Praying for you as we *both* learn from and lean on Him rather than our own understanding. xoxo

  5. Thank you for the lovely post. I’m glad somebody understands the desert. One of my favorite quotes from “The Little Prince” is, “what makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.” I’m looking for the well right now. I’ve been married a little over four years. My parents have lived with us that whole time. In March, my precious Mama unexpectedly passed away. My Dad, my husband, and I have all been wandering around lost since then. We don’t really know how to be a family without her. We don’t know who is supposed to do what now that she is gone. We’re a mess. The family doctor told me yesterday, “you better get all that figured out.” Thanks, doc. But it isn’t that easy. I know God has not left us. It’s just the waiting (really only 4 1/2 months – not that long) in the desert is hard. It’s always good to meet fellow wanderers along the way.

    • Oh Carolyn, I’m so sorry for your loss. The unsettling is *not* easy to just figure out. Big hugs to you, Friend, as you faithfully keep on keeping on while remembering His great Love for you…

  6. I am thankful for this post, and to have stumbled into a community of women with words that are graceful, kind, encouraging and filled with wisdom.

    I have graduated last year and although I have been blessed with a job that allows me to stay in Australia for a little while longer (I’m not a resident), I can’t help but feel frustrated by the lack of growth and direction in my current place (the desert).

    Not too sure where I’ll be next year, but this post reminds me of the ‘wait and see’, to to overcome the fear, to trust the promiser and to have faith that it will all turn out alright. I almost wanted to give up, and all I needed was to read heart-warming encouragements like this post to keep me going. One day at at time.

    Thank you!

  7. What do you do in a desert full of dirt?…Enjoy the scenery, plant some cacti, love the hot weather and ride motorcycles. Hubby and I are headed to the great desert west this year and I can’t wait to see it!

    I have been and am in a season of waiting. What do I do? Pray about situation, keep on working/plugging away at life!

    Great post.

  8. This reminds me of many of my fellow Marine wives when they drive onto the base in 29 Palms, CA. It’s scary, it’s barren, it’s all dirt and it’s beyond hot. But there is something about those desert times that strengthen us to all of life’s elements, both physical and emotional.

    Beautiful post, Kristen. You say it so well.

  9. This post has really encouraged me! I have been so doubtful concerning the direction my life should go and if the passions I want are what God wanted for me. You see, I was accepted into a discipleship school, but my heart has been heavy about becoming a part of the military (USMC). I was unsure of which to do, or if I should do both or neither, but everything I’ve seen lately points to doing both. I cannot walk out of my house or turn the computer/TV on without seeing something about the military. I come from a long generational line that has served. I am convinced that each time I seek God concerning both His answer stays the same, “Yes, both.” It’s frightening and exciting all at once, but I am enjoy the ride for sure. I cannot wait to be fulfilling both of my passions. I know that God is happy when I’m doing something that makes me happy! By the way, I’m a female who is striving to be an MP! It’s something new for my family since I would be the only female to serve as well as the first female Marine. I thank your husband and your neighbors husbands for their service as well as you and the other military families. We’re all in this together. Will be keeping you in prayer. Would you keep me in yours? <3 Blessings!

  10. I totally understand this! My husband is in the Army and we are stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX. Most people don’t realize that El Paso is the absolute TIP of west Texas, and really doesn’t look like the rest of Texas at all. It is also a barren desert located close to one of the most dangerous cities in the world. It has been a literal and figurative desert wilderness time for me, but I took a stand not to wander it for 40 years! I’ve learned so much, and praise God we are now moving to a sub-tropical location in just a month! I hope you’re able to continue to learn and grow in your faith, as well as become accustomed to this crazy military lifestyle. It can be very rewarding if you open your heart to it! Praying for you and your family 🙂

    • I love your attitude, Lauren! And YES! I absolutely adore this military lifestyle, and I wouldn’t trade it for all the green grass and tall oaks in the world! 🙂 HUGE thanks to you and your man for serving!

  11. This is the second time today that I have read this verse… once through Klove and then through your devotion. I am starting a weight loss challenge, trying to eat new things to better myself, and there have been lots of changes in my job as I start the new school year. Feel like God is telling me, “Hey, Lauren… It’s ok. It may be new, but I’m not. I’m the same.” Thank you, Lord =)

    • Oh, Lauren! Your words give me goosebumps! The season may be new, but our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. L*O*V*E! You bless me!

  12. I’m choosing to view this season of my life, which includes many losses (spouse, security, position, etc.) as a renewing time. I have lost much but am confident God will birth new and wonderful things in my future … thank you for the reminder that it can happen exactly where we may least expect it. Isn’t our God just that good?

  13. I live in Arizona and often wonder why Jesus decided to live in a hot, arid climate while He was on earth. Of all the places to live! (and there was no central air back then!!) So I gather olives off the olive trees that are near me and cure them when in season. I wonder if Jesus did the same when He lived at home with His mom and brothers and sisters. I eat assorted grains that He might have eaten and I love humus. I sometimes think He’s placed me here to toughen me and train me in ways that might not have been accomplished if I was someplace else. (Like up in the cool mountains in a little cottage in the woods, which would be my dream location!) I can say one thing for sure, He has given me a lot to work against, much like a body building has to lift weights to build muscle. He’s placed me where I have to build spiritual muscle. I’m still a work in progress and I don’t see the end yet.

  14. “I didn’t think it possible to bloom in the desert, but God specializes in unearthing breathtaking blessings in the bleakest of environments.” This really stood out to me and was a timely reminder as I have been feeling some discouragment during this period of waiting in several different areas.
    Thank you for blessing me today with this.

  15. Thank you so much for this. I am so needing to hear from God LOUDLY. I keep coming here cause it helps me through rough times. I am a 38 year old single which is so hard. I am working hard at life, trying to find some contentment where I really want to meet my husband and be a house maker. It’s a very hard season. I am praying so much about all of this and I so want God to make me lighter and help me in this season of waiting. But how much longer…. it’s hard to have heart’s desires…. and then seeing it all take place around you, just not in your own life.

  16. Thank you for this. We are in the process of changing churches (after 20 years!). I know God wants us to leave but it is BEYOND Hard! It’s hard to trust Him when we can’t see what’s coming…

  17. fighting discontent seems to be my SOP lately. my husband left the business world for missions work! exciting? yes! big pay cut? absolutley! as we struggle financially, i fight for joy. but i’ve learned major, awesome lessons in faith and trust.

    so glad you have found community where you are.

  18. Your words touched my heart! I have felt in a holding pattern for quite some time now. Getting a “just wait” answer from God has been a hard lesson, but these verses were the ones he gave me with that answer. Thank you for sharing.

  19. Wow. what a blessing this entry was to me!! I am not a military wife – I am a pastor’s wife… well, the wife of a pastor in between churches…And I am in a desert, very similar to what you described. You have encouraged me today. thank you.

  20. Kristen, I can’t even tell you how much your words were a balm on my soul. It’s amazing how God knows when you need something so desperately… I’m in the Army and currently deployed to Afghanistan. Jesus and I have always had a beautiful, crazy relationship and I know this is where He intends for me to be, but this {literal and figurative} desert has been harder than I ever thought it would be. Being the lone female surrounded by hundreds of infantrymen, few of whom are Christians, can be a bit… Challenging. I’m often times left wondering how I got here and where God went in the midst of this desert.

    But on a rare occasion that I got internet access today, I happened upon your post while looking for anything pretty on the internet (Pretty isn’t yet recognized in the Army, if you can imagine!). It took all my energy to hold back the tears that sprang to my eyes in this room full of men. You wrote right to the core of my heart and reminded me that God is working in this place and that He is changing me and will bless those changes. I know that, but just got a little lost in the sandstorms. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

    • Oh, Gretchen! {tears} What a light you are to those in your circle of influence! What a gift your words are to this community, and what a gift your service is to your country. Truly. I’m praying Psalm 139 for you right now. May you feel Him hem you in as you see everyday signs of His Light. Much love and hugs to you, sweet Sister, and thank YOU for blessing us here today…

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