The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, has been a grueling national story. It has been over two months since Nancy was last seen on Feb. 1 at her home in Tucson, Arizona, and her case is perplexing and incredibly frustrating, as no specific suspects have been identified, and authorities continue to analyze surveillance video and retrieve DNA samples. Savannah returned to the "Today" show this month, and even for those of us who do not regularly watch her on weekday mornings, our hearts are still broken for her, and many of us have prayed for her as we would for a family member. After reading the updates on Nancy, I have thought about how the elderly are often preyed upon in our society. I remember a troubling incident that my mother, who is 85, shared with me four years ago, before she came to live with me. She was still driving at this time, but only short distances, mainly to church, doctor's appointments, the grocery store and the library. One day, she drove to the mall to shop for a few items at the Belk department store, and instead of parking in the front, she chose a side entrance. Upon leaving, a woman approached my mother and asked if she needed a ride. My mother quickly responded that she did not, but this woman kept insisting that she could help in some way. Fortunately, she decided to leave my mother alone, but that day could have ended tragically for my mom. I wasn't home, and there was hardly anyone in the parking lot. My mother likes to say that her guardian angel works overtime, and I was truly thankful to God that she got home safely.

I am still hoping for a breakthrough in Nancy Guthrie's case, even though it is highly unlikely that she is alive. We have seen the agony on Savannah's and her siblings' faces as they have posted appeals on social media, and the family's offer of a $1 million cash reward remains unclaimed by anyone who may have information or leads. Savannah's latest video, which was posted last Easter Sunday, was especially poignant. She expressed that she had "moments of deep disappointment with God," questioning whether Jesus felt the deepness of "the wound" she is carrying and struggling with feelings of "utter abandonment." Her pain was evident as she poured out her emotions to viewers. One of the first Scriptures that came to mind as I was listening to Savannah's remarks is Hebrews 4:15, which states that Jesus is our High Priest who "understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin." Christ understands how we feel when tragedy upends our lives because there is nothing hidden from Him, and Psalm 147:5 says that God's understanding is "beyond comprehension." In our moments where we feel life has broken us, we have assurance through God's Word that He cares, He knows, and He recognizes what is plaguing us. Now, as I write this, I must admit that I need to strengthen my faith in fully believing God's promises in times of despair. Reflecting on Nancy Guthrie's gut-wrenching ordeal, I have thought about how I would have reacted if my mother had gone missing that day as she was leaving the mall. Would I have been angry with God? Would I have questioned Him? The honest answer is yes. Even now, I have questions regarding my mother's health and the physical struggles she is enduring, wondering why these things have happened. This is no comparison, however, to what Savannah is going through, but I have also pondered why certain difficulties have occurred in my life. What I am learning now through this season is that I must trust that God is, as Romans 8:28 says, working out everything for my good because He has called me to a great purpose. I also have to remember that Christ said that in this world we will have "many trials and sorrows," but "to take heart, because (He has) overcome the world" (John 16:33). Savannah hinted at this Scripture when she said that the morning light of Easter shone brightly through the world's darkness. I pray that she will grow in her faith, truly knowing God's compassion and love, even when everything appears lost.

Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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