When God Answers the Prayer You Almost Forgot You Prayed
A whispered prayer, a text, and a quit.
First, the quit:
“I’ve decided I won’t be returning to teach next semester.”
The words left my mouth like a ton of bricks. I’d agreed to teach 8th grade Spanish a week before school started in the wake of regrouping from the unexpected. The thought of escaping the house regularly for a bit seemed a refreshing distraction from what I thought August would hold. I had spent the summer avoiding the question that plagued my nighttime sleep—“Now what?” It ran in my head endlessly, and for once, I was at a loss for words, with no answer. Not a “Where”, not a “What”, not a “When”, certainly not a “Why”. So with this ask in front of me, I eagerly bought a Teacher’s Planner, thumbed through the Intro to Spanish textbook, printed lesson plans, and re-scheduled my weeks to accommodate the rhythm of teaching.
And then I remembered why I never dreamed of being a teacher when I was little. Sure, there’s lots of overlap with ministry (7 years of full-time youth ministry helped me recognize that). But I found myself coming home more zapped and frustrated, and less sure in my decision. On top of that, it was straining the rest of the family—my husband was doing “overtime” watching our girls while I caught up on grading; the girls got the brunt of my residual annoyance. Still, I agonized over potentially letting people down. I’ve never been a quitter, but I’d only agreed to “try it for a semester” hadn’t I? Still, the decision left me feeling like the bad guy. After that, the rest of the semester flew by, and I went into the Christmas break feeling noticeably lighter. I began to look forward to January, although I still had no answer to that looming question playing on loop in my head. Then, while we were still away visiting family, the text: “Would you be open to an eight week preaching assignment?” The prospect made me instantly giddy. It had only been 8 months to the day since I had last been in a pulpit— the space I often feel most alive, most affirmed, and most obedient to my call in ministry—and yet, in this season of “ministerial nomadism”, it had felt like an eternity. Yet it wasn’t until sharing this excitement with a friend over coffee that I remembered what, 8 months earlier, I had prayed between tears:
“God…I’d love to preach still, 8-10 times a year…if that’s possible.” As if He wasn’t able. As if He didn’t already have a plan. As if the God who had been walking with me through this valley of loss didn’t already know my heart’s longing. As if He didn’t already know every yes, every no, every anguish, every opportunity. HE knew I needed a reminder of what I WASN’T made to do so that I could savor once again what I WAS made to do. HE knew a disappointing “no” would create space for an overjoyed “yes”.
HE knew one pastor’s obedience to pause would lead to another’s answer to prayer. So here I sit, now with only four more glorious weeks of interim preaching left—and still no answer to my “Now what?” And yet, I KNOW—HE already knows. And in His perfect timeline, I trust Him to show up again.
“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” (Psalm 143:8)
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Jessica Folz is a mom of two strong-willed girls (Phoebe 3yo & Eden 15mo) and has been married for 10 wonderful years. She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan in 2014, has spent over a decade serving in ministry, and was ordained in the Wesleyan Church in 2021. Fueled by strong coffee and stronger faith, Jessica loves traveling and finding new adventures and experiences to share wth her family.
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Parakaleo is more than a conference — it’s a lifestyle.
And that lifestyle was never meant to be lived alone. Community is where it comes alive. Let’s keep building each other up!
As a Wesleyan family, we believe women are called and gifted to lead, and we are encouraged by organizations like CBE International, which puts that conviction into writing, community, and action. Daniela was leading the online workshops and couldn’t be at the denominational lunch at E2026, but she was so excited to know CBE President and CEO Mimi Haddad brought copies for everyone. They are such a rich resource. Start here with this short video—it’s a great entry point into their world!
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Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy has a long history of creating events for women exploring and living out their call to ministry and the ministry leaders who support them. E2026 was a unique opportunity for 650+ women clergy to connect with like-minded women spanning many denominations. Watch the main sessions and select workshops here: E2026 Main Sessions Playlist
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