Perfect Timing

From the Biblical stigma of the “barren” wife to the modern, more polite terminology of “infertility”, issues with childbearing have affected women for as long as there has been time. However, it seems to me that there is more of an open discussion of the topic in recent years. Perhaps it’s due to the medical advances in the area or more to the lessening social stigma associated. In any case, if you aren’t personally suffering from this problem you probably know someone who is. I’m going to call the woman in my story Sharon. Sharon has decided she wants to have children, she’s always wanted to be a mother and so she and her husband begin trying. Although this baby is desperately wanted, something isn’t working right. So she continues trying for years. She has decided its “baby time” yet her body just won’t perform the way she wants it to. After months or years of trying, Sharon goes to fertility specialists, and all of a sudden the process of having a baby has turned into a mission. She begins the process of shots, treatments, and a whole host of other unromantic things. In fact the pursuit of a baby begins to take over her life. She follows the entire doctor’s advice and month after month she is disappointed. She begins to question God, “Why won’t my body work? How can teenagers who don’t want babies get pregnant so easily and I can’t?” Nothing seems fair and all of a sudden marriage becomes a struggle. Her self-worth begins to diminish. Her faith begins to run dry and she is exhausted by her seemingly fruitless pursuit. Months turn into years and the cycle of stress continues. I don’t know how to encourage you if you are going through this struggle except to offer some comfort from Scripture.

Of course, there is more than one example of this woman from the Bible. In 1 Samuel we read about Hannah. This poor lady was loved by her husband but had no child. In this culture not having children was viewed as a curse. In fact the Bible tells us that the LORD had closed her womb. Not only was she heavy with the burden of having no children, her husband’s other wife continuously berated her about the fact that she was infertile. The passage goes on to say that this went on year after year. Hannah becomes increasingly heartsick. Her spirit is so wrought with grief that Eli thinks she is drunk, when she is only praying! She wants a child so desperately that she makes a vow to God. She promises to give her son to the Lord if she can just have give birth to him.

Of course you know the rest of the story, the Lord grants her wish and she gives birth to Samuel. Hannah keeps her promise and gives him to the Lord’s work when he is quite small. Samuel grows up to be one of the greatest leaders in Israel and Hannah is subsequently blessed with more children. This story is not only encouraging to women who have struggled to have children because the outcome is positive. It also encourages that the Lord’s timing is perfect. If Hannah would have had a son immediately in her marriage, she would not have promised to give him to God. Had she not promised to give Samuel to God, Israel would have missed Samuel’s distinct leadership. There is hope in the waiting. Hope that the child you long for will be born for a specific purpose and time; it just might not be according to your plan.

Another example of a fertility struggle would be Elisabeth. Here is a woman who with her husband had lived a blameless and righteous life before God. Yet they were looked on with scorn because they had not conceived a child. They grow old and the hope for having a son is lost. Can you imagine her surprise when she finds out she is pregnant? Not only is she giving birth to a child, but he will be a special son. Her son John became the fulfillment of prophecy. He will be filled with the Holy Ghost and prepare the way of the Lord. You know what I find fascinating? She led a righteous life even without children, even though she was scorned by her community as being some kind of sinner. The fact that she did not have the validation of a child did not stop her from serving the Lord. She was faithful. I believe the Lord rewarded her patience and she was able to experience a special blessing from the Lord in His perfect timing. She was greatly used to bring John the Baptist into the world and raise him. Her long life of wait was necessary for God’s plan.

In the same passage, the angel speaks to Mary the Mother of Jesus and tells her she will conceive a child. He goes on to tell her that Elisabeth is pregnant even in her old age. Then we find a verse many quote, but I never realized its context: For with God nothing shall be impossible. I hope you believe that, and I hope you find joy in your life today.

I wish I could end this article with an emphatic answer to your fertility, but I can’t. I can however tell you that the Lord has a purpose for you today and for the rest of your life. If He wants you to have a baby, nothing will stop Him. If you can’t have children, maybe the Lord has called you to adopt, or dedicate more time to the Body of Christ. Whatever His plan is, live your life in the fullness of His Grace and Love today.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.