By Karilyn Barnett

The Law of Gestation teaches us that every physical seed has a specific incubation period before it becomes something tangible. Our ideas are spiritual seeds—and they too require a certain amount of time to develop before coming into full reality.

Sometimes, those ideas spring to life with very little effort. Other times, they take what feels like forever. Wouldn’t it be nice if our ideas came with a little gestation chart—like a packet of corn seeds? But this waiting, as difficult as it can be, is for our growth. It’s part of the process.

And while the wait can be frustrating, it’s important not to rush or force things before their time. More often than not, there are unseen circumstances being arranged behind the scenes—things that must fall into place first. Here’s an example from my life that may help illustrate this principle:

I got married at 27 and wanted to be a mother more than anything. But things didn’t happen the way I hoped. One setback after another came, and the longing to hold a child in my arms only grew stronger. Still, we kept going—clinging to our faith and desire. By the time I turned 31, we began to consider adoption. It was a new thought for us, but we were open.

Just before my 32nd birthday, we began the adoption process. We were told that the average wait time for a placement was two years. My heart sank. But we pressed forward, staying focused on the dream of having a baby in our home. The paperwork was a challenge, but we managed—except for one last piece: a letter to the birth parents.

That letter turned out to be the hardest part. I felt so much compassion for the parents who would make this unimaginable decision. For weeks, I couldn’t bring myself to write it. The weight of their situation was just too much. But then something happened that I will never forget.

One day, I was sitting on my bed when I suddenly felt as if the letter was being dictated to me. I grabbed a pad of paper and held on tight as the words flowed through my hand. The pen moved with ease. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced before.

When I handed the letter to our social worker, he paused. “This one’s different,” he said. “Usually these letters are written to the birth parents. Yours is written to the baby.” I shared what had happened—how I felt God had written it through me. He was intrigued and accepted the letter.

And with that, everything was finally ready. All we had left to do was wait.

This time, though, the waiting felt different—like something was really coming.

Just three months later, we got the call: a baby girl was coming into our lives. The joy of that moment is something I still struggle to put into words. Holding her in my arms was nothing short of a miracle.

After we brought her home and the initial whirlwind settled, I thought back to that letter. I realized something profound: God had to write it because I wasn’t getting it done in time. He knew this child was coming, and the window was closing. He had been setting things in motion long before I was even aware.

We believe with all our hearts that our daughter was always meant to be with us. She just came through a different door. We’re forever grateful to her courageous birth parents for the gift they gave us. It’s now been nearly 13 years since that letter, and our lives have never been the same.

Adoption is beautiful.

So if you’re in a season of waiting—don’t lose hope. The Law of Gestation reminds us that everything unfolds in its proper time. Keep your faith strong, and trust the process. Your miracle may be closer than you think.

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