Father Thomas, a weekly column where readers share their questions about faith, family, relationships, and life’s challenges. Each week, Father Thomas offers practical wisdom and spiritual guidance rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church.
DEAR FATHER THOMAS:My husband and I have prayed for years to have a child. Every month we hope. Every month we grieve. Friends around us announce pregnancies, baptize their babies, and celebrate birthdays while we quietly wonder if God has forgotten us.
People tell us, ‘Just trust God’s timing,’ but after so many years, those words are becoming harder to hear. I know God is good. I know He can do anything. But why does it feel like He’s asking us to wait while everyone else moves forward? How do I keep trusting Him when my heart is breaking? — WAITING WITH EMPTY ARMS
DEAR WAITING WITH EMPTY ARMS: Your letter speaks to a sorrow that many couples carry quietly. It is a heavy cross, but it is one that God sees. The desire for a child is a beautiful desire. It reflects the love God has placed within your hearts and your longing to share that love with new life.
Throughout Scripture, we meet people who waited. Abraham and Sarah waited for Isaac. Hannah poured out her sorrow before the Lord. Saint Elizabeth endured years of disappointment before welcoming John the Baptist. Their stories remind us that waiting has long been part of the journey of faith.
God’s delays are not proof that He has forgotten you. The Lord is often working in ways we cannot yet understand. Bring your grief honestly to Him. Stay close to the sacraments, and don’t be afraid to speak with your parish priest, who can walk with you spiritually through this difficult season.
If you are pursuing medical care, do so with a well-formed Catholic conscience and seek guidance when difficult moral questions arise. Above all, remember this: your marriage is already bearing fruit through your faithful love, your sacrifices, and your commitment to one another. Your life is not on hold in God’s eyes. Keep trusting Him, even when the road is longer than you hoped.
Have a question for Father Thomas? Email us at dearfather@ycvf.org. While we can’t respond to every message personally, your letter could be selected for a future episode.
