Open to Beautiful Blessings

My OB/GYN once told me that after having four children he didn't believe I would be become pregnant again because of the changes my body had gone through. God showed him differently though when we did in fact conceive our fifth child a year later.

At my six week follow up with him, he actually told us he would have to retire if I became pregnant again. I guess we really challenged his ability to ensure we had a healthy child and a healthy mother at the end of the day.

At a recent checkup, he cautioned me on the dangers of becoming pregnant at my age and when I didn't necessarily heed his advice he said he would have a heart attack if I were to become pregnant again. I told him then that I would pray for him if that happened. See, I didn't think I needed to pray for myself but rather pray for the man who didn't have a trust in God. Pray for the man who had put his trust in himself and not in God. I thought about changing doctors but I can witness to this one through the work God does through me.

I've come to trust in God's provision. If God wants to bless us with another child, I believe God will provide and care for us. I'm not worried.

In fact, my husband and I just had 'date night' a few days ago and we talked about the past. When we looked back together we saw how beautiful everything has turned out.

Yes, the year of unknowing if we would conceive a child together was hard on us, but it developed a trust in God in us. Yes, the pregnancy was tougher on me at 41 than in my 20's, but I still survived and eventually got back to feeling myself. Yes, the first few months when our daughter wouldn't sleep through the night was extremely challenging for both of us, but she eventually found her rhythm and we eventually regained our sanity. Yes, the other children went through a period of adjustment, but they eventually embraced and bonded with their new sister too. We have all grown through the challenges and I wouldn't change any of that for anything in the world.

God is faithful and He is good. I want to be open to any blessing He may want to grant to us. I cannot know what is ultimately best for us but I trust that God does.

In the historical account of the Israelites under oppressive Egyptian rule in the book of Exodus, we find an environment that is very hostile to the people, especially newborn males. The Egyptians were so worried about the multitude of the Israelites (as God had increased their numbers tremendously)that they worked them as slaves and enacted laws to kill the newborn males in an effort to limit the power this people may have.

As I contemplate what it would be like to be a wife and mother in these times, I cannot compare it to any hardships we face here in the United States as wives and mothers, but I am sure there are those who can. Those that have the fear of harm, trial, or death for themselves or their child if they were to become pregnant. The rate of birth control use and abortion in our country speaks to this fear.

Where is the hope in a faithful God that he can deliver us from any evil or fear? Where is the hope that God can turn what we view as a tough time around and make it beautiful? Where is the hope that God holds all events in His trusted hands? I believe in this hope and I rest in His will for me despite any fears or second guesses I may have.

So, Mr. OB/GYN, I trust in a higher power than you, and you will not make me feel bad for placing my faith elsewhere and not heeding your advice. Maybe God has something to show you through our story.