Then we tried having Caleb. After a couple months of trying, my heart was discouraged and my husband saddened for me. It was right around Christmastime and I decided that I was going to put a paragraph in our Christmas letter about the situation. Letting people know that we wanted to start having children and that we would appreciate their prayers on our behalf.
It was a humbling thing to do. Once 50 families know you're trying, you can be sure to hear "Are you pregnant yet?" 50 more times.
But I felt it was a wise choice. The letters went out the 2nd week in December. We found out we were pregnant the 2nd week in January.
You can call that coincidence if you want. I'm sure the fact that Ross had 2 weeks off of work and that they were relaxing days certainly helped. But I think it is evident that the LORD listened to the many prayers of our dear friends and families and He blessed us with baby Caleb.
Fast forward 17 months. We think we want a 2nd baby. We try for a while and things don't seem to be working again. I post something here on the blog, asking for prayer and I ask for prayer in our small group as well.
A month later, we find out we're pregnant.
Isn't God good? If you are one of the many people that have prayed for our family, I hope you feel encouraged. I hope your heart rejoices that the LORD has heard you and your intercession for our family. I hope you feel a little more connected to us and to this little baby growing inside me. The LORD listened and breathed life inside me.
Infertility- of all kinds- is prevalent and heartbreaking. The Bible is full of stories of women who can't bear children and their extreme sadness. It is also full of stories of women who pour out that desire to God and He blesses them. If you want children, I encourage you to trust in His plan and to ask people to pray for you. I know that He listens.
Side Story: My grandma lives next to a very sweet Christian couple. When they first moved in, they had one son who was 8 years old. The mother shared that she wanted more children, but they hadn't been able to conceive. My grandma asked if she could pray for this woman. She eagerly agreed. Not too long after, the lady had a baby girl, then another one, and another one! They now have a family of 4. The woman politely asked my grandma to stop praying for them : )
God is good. All the time. He knows our hearts' desires. He has a plan for us. He rejoices when He can bless us with good things.
Samuel 1:26-28
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
26 and she said to him, “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the LORD. 27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.
Our stats:
I am due March 26th. I am 13 1/2 weeks pregnant at this point. We do hope to find out if it is another boy or a baby girl. We should know in mid-November. I will keep you updated : )
I truly appreciate your honesty about this topic. It can be a very difficult thing to accept what plans He has for us.
ReplyDeleteAnd the story about your Grandma was too awesome.