When the Answers Never Came, Faith Still Did

A CHALLENGING SITUATION 

Krisztina Thorsen’s family knows what it is to suffer. Her nine-year-old son, Hudson (named for famous missionary Hudson Taylor) has endured cyclical migraines every 100 days since he was a toddler, age two. There is typically a “pre-episode” in which Hudson can tell the migraine is soon to begin; it begins at night.  That time is followed by 4-5 days of debilitating headaches, along with vomiting, in which he can hardly walk and misses school and the activities he’s involved in. They’ve had every kind of test done and he’s been misdiagnosed many times, his mother says. Still, Krisztina emphasizes that aside from these few recurrences a year, Hudson is a very healthy, happy, active boy, taking no meds, no special diet, excelling in school and participating in sports.   

LESSONS LEARNED

“I am not the same person I was seven years ago,” Krisztina says. The frustration, anger and disappointment of watching her son go through such an ongoing, debilitating illness has certainly resulted in tough moments, she admits.  “I remember being in the car, turning music on to help drown my cries, and shouting to the Lord.  It has been extremely difficult.”  As the years have passed, she also speaks of how her family has looked to the Lord for grace and help, and found it abundantly. “I’d go through all this again for the sake of who we are, how we’ve been able to help other families with challenges, and the impact for the Kingdom. We have such a strong foundation now,” she says.  One of the things they’ve learned in this long season is how to wait with faith. “We live in such an instant world. The discipline of waiting has become lost,” Krisztina believes.  

THE WAITING TREE 

Wanting to encourage her son, as well as many other children struggling with any number of difficulties, Krisztina decided to write a book about waiting.  She actually penned it during one of Hudson’s hospital stays.  The main message of the book is that waiting for an answer to prayer can be a time of spiritual growth and character development when it accompanies belief in God’s unchanging goodness.  Some of the lines in the story which teach this truth are:

• “’I don’t understand,’ said the boy with a sigh, ‘why prayers go unanswered, no matter how I try.’  But deep in his heart, a still whisper grew: ‘You may not see why … but I’m still loving you.’”

• “God’s silence was never a sign of His lack, but a plan being woven behind the boy’s back.”

• “Remember this truth the boy came to know: Even ‘no’ is a love that will not let you go.’” 

• “The waiting had changed him – not what he knew, but Who he belonged to, and that was enough, too.”

Though the book doesn’t mention him by name or condition, Hudson knows his mom was writing about his situation as well as all other children waiting for an answer or relief.  He told her, “Mom, this is very comforting to my heart.” Krisztina also offers five ways of actively waiting that will be a help to anyone as they wait on God’s answers to prayer:

• Make a Prayer Jar 
Write down something you’re waiting or praying for.  Each day, add a note of something you’re thankful for – because even while we wait, God is good! Psalm 37:7                                               

• Plant a Seed of Hope 
Plant a small seed in a cup or garden.  Water it each day and watch it grow!  Just like the seed takes time to sprout, God is growing good things even when we can’t see them yet.          

• Encourage Someone Else
Write a kind note, draw a picture, or call someone who is also waiting for something (like healing, friendship, or answers).  Remind them that the Lord sees and cares for them.  

• Worship While You Wait
Have a mini praise session!  Sing a worship song at the top of your lungs, dance, or listen to music that reminds you God is good – even in the waiting.  

• Remember God’s Faithfulness
Read a Bible story about someone who had to wait – like Joseph, Hannah, Abraham, David, Job, Moses, or Noah.  Talk with someone else about how God was faithful to keep His promises in the end. 
 

Make sure to check out Krisztina Thorsen on her Instagram! Or purchase her book on Amazon here! 

CREDITS

Author of The Waiting Tree (self-published, 2026). Born in Hungary, she moved to the United States during high school. She earned her bachelor's degree from Liberty University and her master's degree from George Mason University. After working as a teacher, she became a full-time homeschooling mom and has also served as a substitute teacher. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, baking, photography, and traveling with her family.