You're Not Locked Out of God’s Plan — DawnCheré Wilkerson on Infertility, Faith, and the Sacred Work of Waiting

This is StRest! In this episode, Kerstin Lindquist welcomes speaker, author, and pastor DawnCheré Wilkerson to explore what it means to live well in the middle of long, painful seasons of waiting. With powerful vulnerability, DawnCheré shares her 8-year infertility journey, the emotional toll of private suffering, and how she learned to stop resisting the wait and instead embrace it as sacred ground. Together, she and Kerstin unpack what it means to celebrate when your miracle hasn’t come yet—and why joy, not bitterness, is a choice we make every day. They discuss the culture of hustle, how fear can shrink your life, and the power of community to sustain us when we want to isolate. DawnCheré opens up about the moment she finally shared her struggle from the stage, the healing that came through confession, and how her waiting season set the foundation for the home she has today. Whether you’re waiting for a child, a job, healing, or clarity, this episode will reframe your view of the “in-between” and help you breathe again. Major Themes & Concepts ✅ Infertility, silent suffering, and spiritual growth in long waiting seasons ✅ Why waiting is not punishment—it’s preparation ✅ The loneliness of secrecy and the healing power of vulnerability ✅ How celebration can become a spiritual discipline ✅ Fear as a lifelong battle—and how to shut it down ✅ Community as healing: why we need people, even when we don’t want them ✅ What it means to be still and wait on the Lord ✅ How to identify harmful intake—media, conversations, thoughts ✅ Why shame and hustle are poor substitutes for grace ✅ Choosing joy, again and again, even when nothing’s changed Chapter Breakdown 00:00 – “What I learned in the waiting…” — Introducing DawnCheré 00:54 – Her journey through infertility and the message behind Slow Burn 03:11 – Waiting is the room, not the hallway: reframing the experience 07:20 – The doctor’s appointment that changed everything 09:07 – Why she kept it secret—and the healing that came when she finally opened up 13:15 – Eight years of infertility, followed by four children—and what shifted 17:59 – Learning to celebrate others while still waiting for your own miracle 22:21 – Isolation vs. community: how to stay connected when you feel alone 32:00 – Building trust in God starts with getting to know Him 36:13 – Fear: how it disguises itself and how to silence it 41:05 – The lie of hustle culture and why stillness matters 44:24 – Non-negotiables: sleep, strength training, boundaries, and grace 48:16 – Be ruthless about your intake—what are you feeding your soul? Work with Kerstin 📅 Workshops & Events – Join upcoming events & retreats. 💡 Health Coaching with Kerstin – 1:1 coaching for stress reduction & wellness. Resources & Recommendations Slow Burn by DawnCheré Wilkerson VOUS Church – vouschurch.com Apollo Neuro Main Line Fertility Help Us Adopt Prenuvo Full-Body MRI Scan BRCA Genetic Testing via Myriad Genetics IVF Medication & Treatment Costs via FertilityIQ American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)  Ovarian Reserve Testing & AMH Levels via Modern Fertility RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association Connect with DawnCheré Wilkerson Buy the Book – Slow Burn   Instagram | @dawnchere Church | VOUS Church YouTube | DawnCheré Wilkerson More about Kerstin Website: kerstin-lindquist.com Instagram: @kerstin.lindquist Facebook: Kerstin Lindquist YouTube: @Kerstin.lindquist TikTok: @kerstin.lindquist Production, Distribution, and Marketing By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group Website: www.massifsp.com LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [e-mail]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices