BREAKING NEWS!!!
Thank you for praying for my friends waiting on their dream to come a-callin'.
Rejoicing is now. But hasn't always been. Months of quarrelsome prayers, lofty in humanness, were raised to the heavens on behalf of my friends. Unfair unwarranted questions foamed at my heart... bubbled at my mouth.
I wanted to know why. Why do some whose very marrow aches for arms filled with baby goodness walk around empty-handed? When others who mortify at the remote potential of pregnancy have a crib full of little ones. Why are they last in line? How come others get a "yes" over and over and not them? Doesn't make sense in my mortal rationale.
Today I saw a glimpse of the reasoning behind it all. A recovery of celebrating pregnancy announcements--not theirs. A redemption of baby showers attended--not theirs. A restitution of hospital visits goo-goo gaa-gaaing over newborns--not theirs.
Let's be honest: rejoicing over others' dreams coming to pass can be painful when we're walking 'round with bruised knees and hearts struggling to keep our noses above the integrity line. Others cut us in line, move ahead-- and hearts get hurt. Pesky years of waiting eat the rope of patience, determination to believe, trust and yes, hope. A frayed end is clinched between blistered raw fingers, about to lose hold. Then God....
Then God recovers what's been lost. Redeems what's been stolen. Reconstitutes what's been eaten.
Yes, He does. He does. Believe it...really, truly, unfailing He does. And not just what's been taken. He doubles it. I saw this today when my limp open-handed friends received not one, but two, gifts. From a mama whose nest and heart weren't prepared for these birdies, but was prepared to let them fly to a nest and hearts that were ready.
Let these words blow life into the wee weak spittle of smoldering ashy hope that's left.
Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
today I declare that I will restore to you double.
~Zechariah 9:12
today I declare that I will restore to you double.
~Zechariah 9:12
Did you catch that? Double. That's right. Double. Do you feel Him breathing new hope into your fire? I sure hope so.
Going Deeper
It's never too late for Him to restore, redeem and reconstitute. Do you trust that? Memorize and pray out of the two verse above, asking God specifically for what you would seek Him to double.Do you struggle with bitterness of waiting and/or envy over others dreams coming to pass? If yes, pray for grace and forgiveness. Who can hold you accountable and help carry your load?
Join us on our Jumping off the Train {of Negative Thought} series! You're welcome here!
xoxo, Sam
17 comments:
thank you for posting this-words God wanted me to hear. While I'm not waiting on children, the lesson crosses into other areas. I'm adding these to my list of scripture to memorize.
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for touching base sister. I'm with you... applying these verses to different dreams in my life. Hey... I'd love to pray for you right now! :)
Lord, thank you for Tammy. Thanks for giving her a heart that trusts you, no matter the circumstances. Please give her grace to continue to believe you're faithful and enough and that yes... you will restore to her d o u b l e. Thank you Lord! In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Bless you in the wait friend!
xoxo, sam
Rejoicing with your friend. Beautiful babies - double portion. Smile.
Encouraged by your words, that reflect your honest, lovely heart.
Love, hugs and prayers to you, Sam!
Isaiah 30;15
"This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength...'"
Oh my goodness they are so precious and cute!!! I love seeing God do more - more than we can ask for or imagine. I love a story of exceedingly more. Praying now for a double portions of abundant and full blessings for them all!!
Hugs,
Renee
My husband and I are waiting on a baby. We have struggled with infertility problems for 4 years, and have lost 3 to miscarriage. It is unexplained because I have 3 children (two from my previous marriage and my husband and I have one together). We have been praying for a miracle for 4 years now. And I, personally in my heart of hearts have been praying for twins. This story reinforces to me that God hears my cries and prayers, but like you said it is hard rejoicing with and for all the others who are getting this blessing before us. It's hard to keep my faith that it will happen. Thank you for sharing this, it is like this was *just* for me today.
That verse from Joel has come across my path 2x this week.. is God telling me something? I've struggled with singleness my entire adult life... praying for a spouse for 20+ years. Your line "Pesky years of waiting eat the rope of patience, determination to believe, trust and yes, hope. A frayed end is clinched between blistered raw fingers, about to lose hold." describe that kind of waiting unlike anything I've ever read or heard before. Thank you for this post it was an encouragement. Congratulations to your friends... as an adoptive Mom I always LOVE adoption stories!!
Thanks for sharing this message. My hubby & I can truely related to this for we have been struggling w/ infertility for years. It's esp. hard during mother's days & father's day & in our church where we are the minority. We felt so lonely & left out. Aching inside but nobody understand us. Searching for answer from God but still not clear...etc. We're going to keep trying until the doctor say no. We're praying for a miracle...
~ sister in Christ
Sharon, I love rejoicing with you! I can just see your purple painted toes dancing! God is good.
Love you and that verse from Isaiah. One of my favs!!
Renee... I shared your family's story of adopting sweet Aster with my friends early on in their process. Your testimony was very influential! Thank you for your faith during that season!
And for praying for my friends... I'm meeting these cutie pies on Saturday :)
Hope to see your sweetie girl soon! She lights up the office.
Love you!
Shasta, your heart is so precious. I'm sorry for the trial you're enduring, but I know God is forging something beautiful in you through this. May you see His hand of mercy in it all. Praying for you as you continue to trust and walk this out.
xoxo, Sam
Terri Anne, one of my dreams is to be married as well. I know all too well that is a tough place to wait. It's hard to reconcile the why's of waiting. I pray each day is filled with new fresh hope that brims over and that Jesus fills you with His joy as you find your place in Him. I also pray that His will for marriage for you will be clear and unfold soon!! :)
xoxo, Sam
Dear Anonymous Sister in Christ~ thank you for sharing friend. Even though I'm not married, I do long to have children of my own one day, and I understand how empty your arms and heart feels.
I pray the Lord fills those gaps with peace and hope and that He shows you clearly how to wait on Him for children. He will direct your and your husband's paths.
Praying for you sweet friend!
xoxo, Sam
Love the song! Have No Envy No Fear. Who is it by? How can I find it?
Hi Kelly! I love it too! Joshua Radin is the artist. If you click on the red "YouTube" button on the bottom right of the video, it'll take you to their sight where you can watch this song, and many more by him. He's one of my favorite artists! Very chill and beautiful lyrics.
Happy listening!
What beautiful truth! Oh my, God is so good. Double portion. I will pray these, to have faith and not doubt, always going deeper and deeper. Thanks for the beauty of your writing!
Thank you Robyn Q!! I got to spend all day Saturday with them and their story is amazing. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!
Wow this has me in tears. As a mother who has been able to birth two very beautiful children and who has such a awesome man of God to help me protect our gifts it causes me to be even the more grateful. I celebrate the mom who realized that she wanted more for her gifts from God and celebrate those who have received her precious gifts from God to protect and to raise as a beautiful sacrifice in honor of a mom who wanted more. For some reason this helps me to feel the love of my father so close to me, raining on me, and filling my heart. I followed your blog from Stehanie Clayton's blog. It is beautiful and I too am always looking for a place of safety to come and be reminded of how precious I am to God and he is to me. Thank you and your blog speaks to my heart.
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