As I observed this vacant scene on the shores of Lake Erie, I marveled at the wonder of God’s creation and how, every year, He allows nearly every sign of life to be obscured by ice, freezing temperatures and snow.
When we first started trying for a baby two and a half years ago, the early months held tendrils of hope. My mind swam with thoughts of our future family, not thinking for a moment of the difficulty we might face along the way.
It was 6AM, and my eyes were heavy as I tried to make sense of the Scripture passage laid out in front of me.
Infertility is a physical problem, but it has ramifications that go far beyond the physical. God gave us not just a body, but a mind, heart, and soul (Matthew 22:37).
Just after Valentine’s day, 20 couples from four different states came together for the first ever Waiting in Hope couples’ retreat, Waiting Well Together. What a great weekend we spent together in Tyler, Texas. It was amazing to witness how God moved.
My yard was empty. I didn’t have any kids; didn’t have any co-workers, since I was working from home; didn’t have any friends, since my husband, Colin, and I had recently moved to the area. He was at work, and I was by myself. I sat alone in our empty house, gazing out the back window like a mental hospital patient, thinking about how I was never going to be a mom.
Love is not built around, or amplified on Valentine’s Day, but should be an overflow of God’s love for us. The tender care of our marriages, families, and friendships should demonstrate what real love is — not on a certain day in February, but every day. Today we will reflect on what True Love is and how to let it overflow into our lives, marriages and others.
Men especially can have a hard time with walling themselves off to everything else and basically shutting down. Often the reason is as simple as us not having a clue what to do or say. How can we break through this wall and begin to fight for our marriage despite the whirlwind swirling around us?
“You’re in a season of low visibility. You’re not completely in the dark but you’re in a place where you can only see one foot ahead. I believe the Lord intended it to be this way.”
Even though I loved the Lord and prayed for His guidance, I didn’t truly seek wisdom; I wanted knowledge. I wasn’t believing in His goodness or sovereignty; I was banking on my own strength and determination to realize my dream of becoming a mom.
