Waiting for the Miracle - Encouragement for Today - August 5, 2026
Waiting for the Miracle
Katie M. Kelley
Lee en español
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD … my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7, NIV).
One weekend, in the summer of 2023, I patched 27 holes in the walls of our home. They were not the result of a big construction project or an unfortunate natural disaster. These holes came from the forehead of a little boy with severe autism, who can’t express himself in words and can’t manage his frustration with self-regulation, so he takes the pain out on himself.
In my 12 years as a disability mom, I’m not sure I have prayed for anything or anyone more than I’ve prayed for my son. I prayed for him as a toddler to start speaking, and after his third birthday, some words did come. As he entered kindergarten, I prayed he would stay safe and would not run away from the school. He never did. But in the last few years, as his body has gotten stronger and his self-injurious behaviors have gotten worse, my prayers have gone from asking to begging to absolutely, breathlessly pleading.
God, would You please, please give my little boy a miracle?
Years later, I am still waiting for that miracle. And I am still patching holes in the walls.
One evening, a few weeks after the marathon of wall fixing, I was riding my bike through the rolling hills behind our home. I couldn’t help but marvel at the way the sunset hit the top of golden grass or how incredible it was that baby quails stayed right by their mama when they ran across the road. And it was undeniable to me: This is all miraculous.
There is nothing in me that thinks the world is one big cosmic mistake or wildly unlikely stroke of good luck. I know that God is real, that Jesus is who He says He is, and that the rescue of my heart depends on grace alone.
Honestly, that is why unanswered prayers are so hard — because God is real, and it still can feel like I’m crying into a void.
But somehow, I keep praying, begging, breathlessly pleading. “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD … my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7).
Perhaps one day I’ll get to tell you about a boy who hasn’t hit his head in years and who lives at peace in his own mind and body. Because God is God, the One who spoke the rolling hills and baby quails and sunset into existence, He can do that for my son, and I still believe that.
But what if that is not the miracle I ever get to share? What if the miracle is that God holds me, and holds my faith together, even as I hold my son’s pain that I’d do anything to take away?
Because I think if our hearts keep going and we keep showing up, even when life is really hard, maybe that is worth calling miraculous.
Gracious God, help us see the grace all around us as we wait for the miracle we long for. Let our unshakable faith in You be a testimony to a watching world of Your goodness and kindness, in all things and in all ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
For more stories about tracing the thread of God’s grace in our lives in every season, grab a copy of Katie M. Kelley’s new collection of essays, Grace Will Be There: Finding God in the Life We Aren’t Ready For.
ENGAGE
To read more from Katie M. Kelley, visit her Substack at https://substack.com/@katieblackburn.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lᴏʀᴅ shall renew their strength …” (KJV).
The Hebrew word for “wait” is qavah, which also means to bind together like a cord. Think about that in terms of your heart as you wait on God. How can you see that He is making you stronger, more faithful, and more hopeful by binding His will together with yours, even as you wait with hope?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Katie M. Kelley. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
