In 1975, Henry and I met, fell in love, and got married, all within eight months. It was a whirlwind romance. Two years later we had a son, and five years after that, a daughter. Our family seemed complete.

Henry and I chased the American dream, working hard to provide for our family. God blessed us both with long teaching careers within the Maryland school system and other endeavors. Time passed quickly, and Henry and I began imagining our golden years. We saw much relaxing and reminiscing in our future.

In 2016, when our retirement finally came into focus, we felt God leading us to downsize and move to North Carolina. We were both excited about moving closer to family and experiencing a slower pace with the beautiful country life.

It was challenging, though, leaving our adult kids, who were both experiencing great hardships. Plus, our daughter, Nicole, was pregnant with twins. She was already raising two children as a single mom, under some very difficult circumstances.

The twins were due the same week the moving truck was to deliver all our belongings to our new home, seven hours away. Henry and I decided he should go ahead and meet the movers in North Carolina and that I should stay behind to help Nicole. I was thrilled to be in the hospital room when the girls were born.

Leaving our son, daughter, and grandchildren was among the hardest things I’ve ever done. I was guilt-ridden as a mother. Shouldn’t we always be there to help our children? Yet I sensed God urging me to trust Nicole and our grandkids to His care.

“Lord, I trust You. I’m just going to wait on You.” I prayed these words often. I was trying to walk out Psalm 27:14, which says: “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord” (NLT).

Fear attempted to settle in my heart, especially after our son was diagnosed with a long-term health crisis that required round-the-clock care.

I’m telling you—I was in a full-blown fight of faith to keep from giving way. I clung to Psalm 27:1, which says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?” (NLT).

In 2017, I encountered some physical challenges of my own when I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer and told it had entered my lymph nodes. I wrestled with weakness and weariness as I underwent a lumpectomy, 33 rounds of chemo, and 16 rounds of radiation.

The treatments for my breast cancer took a heavy toll on my health. The hardest part was being isolated and unable to attend church services. I was so grateful when I finally had the strength to return. On that first Sunday back, I was overcome with gratitude and couldn’t stop praising the Lord. This challenging season taught me to appreciate the simple act of gathering with my church family. We often take our blessings for granted when we have our health and freedom.

Not long after that, Nicole’s health took a turn for the worse. I praised God that my cancer treatments were over so that I could focus more on helping my daughter through this time. The distance between us made it difficult, though, as did COVID.

I prayed a steady stream of prayers for God’s protection over Nicole and my grandchildren as I fought against a heavy spirit of despair. I repeatedly declared Psalm 42:11: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (NLT).

I had to remind myself daily to take my eyes off my circumstances and focus both heart and mind on the Lord. I made many “sacrifices of praise” to God during this season; in fact, I learned why Hebrews 13:15 calls them a sacrifice. It’s because praising God during those tough times was never easy. The act went against everything I felt.

Those were difficult years, but God brought us through. And then came a series of trials in 2023 that made the others pale in comparison. It started in May when my cancer returned, and I had to undergo a double mastectomy. I didn’t need chemo or radiation, but the healing process was still challenging. A few months later, Henry was in his car when it was hit from behind and totaled. We were grateful Henry only needed short-term physical therapy, but still, this was an expensive and painful inconvenience.

Then, in November, Satan delivered a terrible blow that I am sure he thought would take us down once and for all (John 10:10). We had just returned from church when the phone rang. It was our oldest granddaughter. “Grandma,” she said, “Mom died in her sleep last night.” I dropped the phone and screamed, “Oh, God!” It was every parent’s worst nightmare. God immediately came to my aid.

His presence poured into that space like a mighty flood. I had never felt Him with me so powerfully before. God was there, comforting me, a brokenhearted mother. Psalm 94:14 is true, “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession” (NLT).

Our church family was at our home in what seemed like seconds. The funeral home director, a member of our church, immediately made plans for someone to drive us to Maryland so that we could get our grandkids and bring them back to North Carolina. They had no one there.

I thanked God for His provision through His people and that I was healthy enough to travel. It had only been six months since my breast surgery.

I also thanked Him for the text Nicole had sent just weeks before. In it, she’d shared how much she loved Henry and me and thanked us for always being there for her and the children. It was almost as if she knew something was going to happen. I will forever treasure the gift of her kind text.

Our granddaughters moved with us to North Carolina, while our grandson stayed behind with his mentor to finish high school. We look forward to him joining us soon, as he will attend college in North Carolina. He misses his siblings terribly.

Since Nicole’s death, God has helped our family pick up the pieces of our lives and move forward, one day at a time. He has lifted us, put us on His shoulders, and carried us like children; He’s infused us with His strength (Isaiah 40:28–31 and 2 Corinthians 12:8–10).

You know, people often believe that if they trust God for salvation, they’ll somehow be immune from life’s problems. That’s never the case. Every person, no matter their faith, will have trials and sorrows. Jesus even guarantees it in John 16:33. The difference is that those who follow Jesus Christ don’t have to walk through trials alone. They have the presence, power, and comfort of God’s Holy Spirit. And they are guaranteed victory over those trials (Romans 8:37).

I don’t know how anyone lives without the Lord. It’s only been through His loving care that Henry and I have survived these trials. Jesus and the hope we have in Him have kept our family upright when the turbulent waters of life tried to overtake us (Isaiah 43:2). That same hope continues to be “a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls” (Hebrews 6:19 NLT).

Through all our trials, God has never failed us. And that’s why I praise Him. “The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation” (Psalm 100:5 NLT).

God continues to work everything out for our good, just as Romans 8:28 promises. For example, the insurance money we received from Henry’s car wreck helped us pay for our daughter’s funeral. In our retirement planning, we hadn’t anticipated burying our daughter or raising grandchildren. But God has consistently and faithfully made a way.

Looking back, I can see how our move to North Carolina was God-ordained. He was preparing a new home for our grandchildren. We now have a large backyard where the girls can play and a safe neighborhood where they can ride their bikes. They just got their first bicycles at Christmas, courtesy of Toys for Tots. Many people in our community joined together to ensure that our family would have a beautiful Christmas. We are so grateful.

To be sure, our golden years look nothing like Henry and I had envisioned. We’ve endured unspeakable pain. Yet, here we are, thriving despite the challenges. Through our beautiful grandchildren, God has made this season of our lives more amazing than we imagined (Ephesians 3:20). He has given us new life.

Today, our home is filled with laughter and music. It’s also busy with homework and after-school routines. I’m telling you, they don’t make enough Geritol for a couple in their 70s to raise twin seven-year-old girls. But we wouldn’t have it any other way. God has given us everything we need to do what He’s called us to do. And because of His faithfulness in the past, we can rest assured for our future.

All I can say is, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation” (1 Peter 1:3 NLT).

How about you? Do you live with great expectation? I don’t know what you’re walking through, but you’re here on earth, so I’m sure there’s something. It might be small, but it might be huge. Whatever it is, draw close to God. He promises to draw close to you (James 4:8). Ask for His help—He will provide it (Matthew 7:7–11). And then receive the help of those He sends your way.

Let my story encourage you. With God’s help, you can make it through anything. He is a God of hope, no matter what. He will walk you through it.

In the meantime, pray and praise Him for who He is. Thank Him for what He has and is doing and what He will do (Philippians 4:6–8). Your sacrifices of gratitude and praise move God’s heart and usher in His presence (Psalm 100:4). I know it may not feel like it, but there is always something to be thankful for. Find it, then speak it aloud (Colossians 2:7). Praising God will bring Him to the forefront of your mind and strengthen you.

God’s got you. Trust Him. Don’t give up on Him or your situation. It might not look like it now, but He is doing a good thing. He’s working behind the scenes, preparing you and your family for His better plan. And His plan will be better than you can imagine.

Naomi Lewis and her husband, Henry, are enjoying their golden years raising their grandchildren. It is their goal to inspire hope and serve locally at their church as a deaconess and deacon.