I have to admit, up until this evening I had nothing as far as a blog post for you my friends. Life with a toddler has proven to be crazier than I remember. I’d forgotten that moms do not get to sit down when their littles are between age 12-24 months ish. But the great thing about having “nothing” is it forces you to seek God desperately for something. His thing. Providentially, the “thing” I feel He’s given me to share has a lot to do with seeking Him in our nothingness.
Barrenness.
A state of being unproductive. Unfruitful.
Having been physically barren at one point in my journey and realizing there are several women in our community continuing to believe for life within their bodies, I of course am speaking in the most literal sense here. But for those that have not struggled with physical barrenness, take a moment now and ask God to show you other areas in your life where you might be unfruitful, areas where you need life.
After my second miscarriage, I closed the door to our empty nursery. I couldn’t stand the sight of the room at the top of the stairs that had no sign of life to come. It was easier just not to look at it.
One day my mother came over and with tears in her eyes she said, “You need to open this door. You need to believe this room will be filled. Open this door in faith that life is coming.”
As I looked deeply into her firm gaze, I nodded and opened the door
Weeks passed, and I found myself drawn to sit in that room every once in a while and pray. One particular morning I was led to Isaiah 41:18-20 as I prayed.
“I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and undertstand, the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.” {NIV}
As I read those words, I began to feel faith rise up within me. I knew that this was a promise for all of God’s people and in this season, especially for me. I’ve never been one to name it and claim in, but I began to believe – truly believe that it was time for me to have a child. I knew at this point, any further waiting was not God’s plan.
A month later I became pregnant with my now, 4 year old daughter, Hope.
This promise is not just for me . . .for some. It’s for you. It’s for the child you long for. The finances you so desperately need. The freedom from a life-draining addiction. The reconciliation of a strained relationship.
Wherever you are barren in this season, He has promised to bring life. Wherever you are parched, He has promised to bring springs of provision.
My father-in-law took this photo last year on a visit to Colorado. I just love the visual of rows and rows of trees standing firms towards Heaven. I believe this is a picture of the provision that is coming for this community of faith. Countless testimonies of His faithfulness.
“…so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.”
For our growth and His glory . . .our barrenness will give way to life.
Do you believe it? If so, I want you to boldly share what it is you are trusting God for right now. We can believe together that He will make rivers to flow on barren heights.
thank you so much for writing about your experience and how God helped you. I have been begging and pleading with God as well to get pregnant. I’m having a hysteroscopy tomorrow to remove a polyp/fibroid and am trusting and believing that after this, God will grant my request. I appreciate everyone’s prayers for me.
Amy
Hi Amy, Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I am praying for you right now. Keep believing. I know it’s hard but I pray your faith would grow through this process. Blessings to you!
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for the note. My hysteroscopy surgery went fine and they removed the polyp. I’ll be starting on pregnitude maybe even tomorrow and if that doesn’t work, then clomid pills as well starting next month. God is good and I’ll keep believing, as you said.
Amy
I am believing through faith that God is going to bless my husband and I with a child. We have been trying to conceive for 5 years now with one miscarriage at the very beginning of our journey. It has only been in the past 2 weeks that God revealed to me that I was putting my faith in doctors instead of the Great I AM. Praise God that He spoke to me and I listened!! I know that our miracle is on its way and couldn’t be more excited to share the faithfulness of our God with others struggling with infertility.
Hi Jamie,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss and your long journey. I understand completely. But it sounds like God is meeting you right where you are. Believing with you for life to come soon! Blessings to you!
Oh, beautiful. And look at those gorgeous trees in Colorado! What a promise from the Lord (in light of the current events) that he will bring restoration.
We’re trusting God for a new car and *eeek* a house!
Jessica, what at timely reminder with the Colorado trees. He is faithful to rebuild and restore and make barren places beautiful. I have already heard some pretty awesome miracles from that region right now. May there be more!
Rebekah, I was thinking that too as I was writing and studying this photo. Praying for all those affected by the horrible fires. May God send a provision of rain to save and restore their area.
I am trusting that the Lord will continue to heal my body from Hyperemesis Gravidarium, and restore my strength so I can continue to grow this blessing inside and make our new house a home for us. He has brought me out of the valley and I am climbing the mountain again!
Colleen, I am praying with you for healing and strength. And that this illness will not rob you the joy of being pregnant. Grace to you!
Hi Colleen, oh my heart goes out to you. I had Hyperemisis with my second pregnancy and it is so demoralising. I’m so sorry to hear you’re in this place where you wonder if you’ll ever feel well again. I promise you, you will! And God will give you grace and do things in your heart and character you never thought possible during this time too!! I will pray for you and feel free to email if you need encouragement!! xx