Joy comes in the morning From June onward last year, I kept having a thought that filled my heart with joy and renewed hope—“Next year this time, I will hold our new bundle of joy.” It was more than a passing wish; it was a deep, faith-filled expectation, a glimpse of God’s promise for our family. Then, in mid-October, we received the exciting news—my daughter Josie was pregnant! We were overjoyed and amazed at how quickly it had happened. And so, the next season of prayerful waiting began—the gender reveal. I was convinced it would be a boy. In my small, human way of thinking, I assumed God wouldn’t give us another girl again. But how little I understood His ways! It was a girl! How often do we try to predict God’s plans, only to be reminded that His thoughts are higher than ours? As the months went by, however, fear tried to creep in. Again and again, I had to surrender my anxieties and declare, “Lord, I choose to trust You.” Then, in the final trimester, doctors discovered a complication that should have been noticed much earlier. The initial news was overwhelming for both the parents and me, but after consulting with a doctor friend, we were reassured. A conversation with my best friend, whose daughter had faced the same diagnosis just a year earlier, gave me even more peace and clarity. She encouraged me not to let fear cloud my faith. Instead of spreading worry, I chose to keep it in prayer and trust our Heavenly Father. And in that trust, I found total peace about Penelope’s well-being. Then, on June 6th, just a day after my birthday, our beautiful rainbow baby, Penelope, was born—perfect, whole, lacking nothing. This journey reminded me that when we ask God for something, we often expect a smooth and easy process. But faith isn’t just about receiving the promise—it’s about growing through the journey. God builds our trust, strengthens our character, and deepens our dependence on Him. It’s like a birthing experience—sometimes painful, sometimes uncertain, but ultimately, leading to something beautiful. If you’re an expecting mother or facing uncertainty in pregnancy, hold onto faith. God knows the baby He is bringing into your life, and He will equip you for every step ahead.