Day 31 – April 9, 2025

There have been many seasons in my life where I’ve felt lost, drained, and completely out of control—although not physically in the wild, these instances have easily felt like my own personal wilderness. But as I reflect on Matthew 4 and the Lenten season, I find comfort in knowing that Jesus Himself walked through the wilderness before me. With Him, all things are possible.

God doesn’t lead us into difficult seasons to harm or punish us, but rather to refine and strengthen us. Jesus being led into the wilderness wasn’t an accident, just as the trials we face in life are not random either. They serve a purpose, even when we can’t see it in the moment.

I want to begin by saying that I am immensely grateful for the life God has blessed me with—a life filled with love, joy, and success. But I also believe that these blessings often come through trials; through moments where faith is tested and trust in Christ is deepened.

One of those trials came when my husband and I set out to build our dream home. From the moment we got married, we knew our first house was only temporary. We had big dreams of one day building a home of our own, crafting every detail exactly as we envisioned—our own little piece of physical wilderness, if you will. 😉 From the outside looking in, it seemed simple. We believed that with hard work and determination, we could make it happen.

So, we took the leap. We purchased the land, designed our home, and sold our starter house, ready to bring our dream to life. While construction was underway, we moved in with James’s parents, thinking it would be a brief stay—just a short transition until our home was finished. In our minds, everything would go according to plan. What we didn’t realize was that we were about to enter one of the most challenging wilderness seasons of our lives.

Building our home in the post-pandemic market felt like wandering through a wilderness—uncharted, exhausting, and full of unexpected obstacles. What should have been an exciting season quickly turned into a battle against skyrocketing material costs, elusive contractors, and supply shortages that left us scrambling for alternatives. Every step forward seemed to be met with another setback, and just when we thought we had a handle on things, we found out we were expecting—a beautiful, unexpected blessing that instantly put us on a ticking clock. Suddenly, the stakes were even higher. The race was on to finish before our little one arrived, but the wilderness had one more trial in store. As the stress of the project mounted, I was diagnosed with preeclampsia, forcing us to push even harder to cross the finish line. By God’s grace, we moved into our home just two weeks before Wilkes was born—exhausted, relieved, and overwhelmed with gratitude. 

Looking back, I see how God carried us through every obstacle. He proved that even in the hardest seasons, He is faithful to provide a way through the wilderness.

If you or someone you love is walking through a season of wilderness, take heart—you are not alone. Many have faced hardships before you, and even in the most difficult moments, God’s presence never wavers. Through my own wilderness, I found strength in the deep relationships of family and friends, but most importantly, in knowing that Christ was with me every step of the way. He used that season to shape me, refine me, and draw me closer to Him. Though the wilderness may feel dark and unending, trust that God is always working behind the scenes, preparing something greater than you can imagine.

Happy season of Lent friends, may God bless you and keep you! 

Love – Chelsey and James Hereford