Waiting Does Not Diminish Us
Mommies with Hope is a biblically-based support group and website for women who have experienced a loss of a child. This week I’ve had the privilege of writing a devotional for their Waiting Wednesday Series – Waiting Does Not Diminish Us.
Teske Drake, founder of Mommies with Hope and author of, Hope For Today, Promises for Tomorrow has a heart to reach women “whether your loss is recent or abiding, all stages of grief are welcome.” through support groups in located in central Iowa. If you’ve suffered a loss make sure to go to Teske’s website or if you live in Iowa attend one of the support groups. I know you’ll be touched and comforted by this wonderful Biblically-based ministry!
She’s offering a giveaway of my book, Dancing Upon Barren Land – Prayer, Scripture Reflection, and Hope for Infertility on her website today.
To Enter:
– Click on www.MommieswithHope.com
– Make sure to leave a comment on Waiting Wednesday to win!
I hope you win!
In the meantime here’s the devotional post. I pray you’ll be encouraged and enlarged while waiting for the desire of your heart.
Love y’all!
Lesli
_______________
Waiting Does Not Diminish Us
By Lesli A. Westfal
“These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us; any more than waiting does not diminish a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting.” Romans 8:22-25
After reading the Message version of Romans 8 one might ask, “Really? How can dealing with infertility enlarge us?”
You’re right. Infertility is one of the most heart-wrenching, emotional roller coaster rides we can take. The testing of jealousy, anger and shame, to name a few is at each downhill turn and twist. The ride is a process of reaching to the core of who we really are.
I recall one Christmas season our dear friends excitedly announced “We’re pregnant!” Their news added to the joy and warmth of the season of Christmas; however, the atmosphere of my heart turned from warm to cold.
My jealousy and envy ensued to anger. I’d had enough!
I held my Bible up to the heavens and yelled, “Why God? This is not fair!” My pitiful state revealed a volcano erupting, hot tears and bubbling snot streaming down my face. Yet ever so gently, I felt my Heavenly Father’s loving-kindness.
Are you going to stay angry and jealous, or are you going to pray for that unborn child?
Bull’s-eye.
Ouch, God, that really hurts.
Then I repented of my selfish, jealous state.
Fast-forward to few years later. Now the child I prayed for while in my friend’s womb is my li’l friend Matthew. Out of all the children I know, he is the one who comes running with open arms with a big, loud welcome. Recently he told me, “Aunt Lesli, you are one of my closest adult friends.”
Romans 8:24-25 continues to exhort us…
“We, of course do not see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s spirit is right alongside helping us along…that’s why we can be so sure that every detail of our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
There are questions we must ask ourselves:
· We will be diminished by our negative emotions of infertility or sorrow from loss?
· Or will we be enlarged with joyful expectancy?
Throughout the painful circumstance of finding out my best friend was pregnant, God, in fact, did bring something good. If I’d remained angry and jealous I wouldn’t have this priceless, loyal friendship with my friend today, nor, my li’l friend Matthew.
Waiting does not have to diminish us. We can be enlarged in the waiting by having confident trust in God, believing He is helping us in every detail of our journey. Either way, the choice is ours.