Lately, through a few hardships, I have learned that I was MADE to bring honor and glory to the Lord. I was created to share the gospel. Sadly, right now that doesn't include being a mother for me. It's hard realize that my plans are different than the Lord's. I thought I would get married, maybe 1-2 years later I would start having kids. I didn't think I would be married for 2.5 years with a tough road ahead on figuring out what/why/when it can happen. But you know what? I am honest when I say this, although it has taken some time to get here, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I have had 2.5 WONDERFUL years of marriage. These years have been so great because we are learning and growing together. We were able to buy our first house, join a new church, and have plenty of time with friends and family! I have even had time to start this blog, venture out on different business ideas, and try new hobbies!
I've worked at the same place for the last 3 years. It has been tough and frustrating at times, but I know it is stretching and growing me so much! I have been given the experience to work in the corporate world and to learn all about it. If I had become a mother quickly, then I wouldn't be in this valuable position. Even though my path has been different than my sisters, I am thankful. It has awoken the Entrepreneur in me that I didn't know existed. What a gift that almost slipped past me!!
So my reason for sharing all of this is because God has a plan for you. He has a perfect and wonderful plan that sometimes we don't know about. We worry and fret about why we aren't getting our way (which I DEFINITELY did and still DO!!), but we forget to Trust in the Lord with all our hearts. I can't tell you the amount of times that I worried and came out on the other side amazed that God gave us something better. I hope this can encourage us to trust and believe that the Lord knows what He's doing. He loves us so much and wants the best for us. If only we could just believe that everyday!
I know this verse is used a lot, but I truly believe it.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
28 comments:
So encouraging, Beth. You are definitely a rock in my life, and this is such an amazing example of trust.
Babe! This is an awesome post. I'm so encouraged to see you voice what we've been learning. You're an amazing wife to me and hopefully one day you can use that same personality to be a mom!! Love you!!
:)
Funny how He puts certain things and people in our paths, huh?!
I started reading this and it made me tear up. Believe me when I say I understand how you feel. We've now had 5.5 wonderful years of marriage and still the time must not be right for us. The past year has been chock full of trials, but I have hope for our future.
This was very encouraging, so thanks and YOU be encouraged, too!!
Amen!!!! I may not have gotten 'my plan' on MY time table....but God had a BETTER plan on HIS time table for me. I know this with all my heart now and even though times have been challenging ...it was to grow me into the person I am today. AND so I would APPRECIATE the tremendous blessing He has bestowed upon me. Otherwise I might not have noticed the gentle, loving, MIGHTY hand of God at work. Hang in there. Thanks for sharing and HUGE sisterly hugs!
I loved reading this post!
I am sad and encouraged as I read this. Because I love you I don't want you to hurt, but I see that God is growing and refining you as you hurt. Surgery hurts but it is often the very thing we need for good health! God is doing surgery on you right now, and the outcome will be worth the pain!!! He is good!
I admire your conviction.
I honestly believe that the biggest gift that you can give your child is your presence, your involvement (and I'm not talking about working versus staying at home, I'm speaking in more general terms). It seems that whatever child comes into your life (and one will, if you want it to) will be extremely lucky to have parents that are conscious of that gift.
I think your honesty is refreshing and would love to keep reading about your journey.
Kelly
Thanks for the comment! Your blog is adorable! and what a wonderful post...its just what I needed to read today. Here is a verse I find a lot of strength in...
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
I was right where you are a couple years ago. We so wanted to start a family and I would get so distraught when everyone around me was getting pregnant and I wasn't (even some that weren't married or didn't want kids!). You have the complete right attitude for this phase in your life. Let me recommend a book to you also: "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. Very helpful - we had been trying for a year and then it only took us 3 months after reading this book. At the end of the day, the Lord's timing is the BEST timing!
Great post Beth! I learned in the past couple of years that God does have the perfect plan for us, even though it's not what we want :) Hope you are doing well!!! Love your blog!
Wonderful post. We must all remind ourselves of this each day.
So perfectly said! Everything always happens in God's timing and we have our lessons from Him during the waiting periods. You know my little story and you have seen all that we have had to learn and so much that we are continuing to wait for.
I love your outlook on how He has set up your life :)
You have the right outlook on the situation. We haven't tried yet and aren't ready, but it is my worst fear that I will be unable to have children and it shouldn't be because there are so many worse things that can happen in a marriage. I pray for you that you can have a peace about this and know that whatever happens is God's will for your life.
I just stumbled upon your blog from twitter. I am a believer in Jesus Christ and am dealing with something very similar, and it was so nice to read this and know that others are in similar trials as I am but choosing to trust God is the best path to take and knowing that his plan is better than mine is reassuring! Iris (reetah22 on twitter)
I knew I liked you from my first time reading your blog! I'm not even sure how I found it...but glas I did. Thanks for being so open. I don't know you but can tell you will be an amazing mother. I love that you said you are enjoying the time with your husband. We had our first child young and two more very quick. Although I would never change my life path, I sometimes wish I would have had a few years alone with my husband. So in my eyes you are lucky to have experienced that.
God bless you!!!
You are awesome - what an inspiring attitude you have!
thank you for being so transparent and honest! the Lord definitely works when we share our hardships and pain with others! i feel the same way about being in a secular work setting but the Lord is using you for his glory right where you are.
thanks again for sharing!
thanks for your post. I feel the same way about motherhood. I thought that by now I would be a mom but I am not. I am also trying to work through the possibility that it may not be in God's plan. I think about this all the time. I am 35 and each day that passes, my life without my own kids seems more real. It is hard. So thank you for articulating it so well in your blog. all the best.
laura
Beth, thanks for your honesty and your post. Having children has been on the forefront of my mind for the past year and it never hurts to have a reminder of God's goodness and grace in our life. Your encouragement came at a time that I really needed it.
This is a such a great reminder, I think sometimes the enemy can be really good at causing us to focus on what we think we might be missing. When our focus is on the wrong thing we miss walking out God's perfect plan for us-God's timely is always the best, and it's even better when we pause to listen to him in the midst of it.
Thanks for sharing this, and for stopping in our new blog a ways back!
This was a beautiful post and took a lot of courage to write it. I read it on the way to work today and I must say, I really needed to read that. I was feeling really down over the weekend. All of my friends and sisters have children and are stay at home mom's. I work full-time and go to school part-time and am no where near ready (financially) to have a baby, I am so ready for life to be different that I let it get me down sometimes. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I am a new follower and look forward to keeping up with you!
Have a great day!
Thanks for sharing this! I have struggled for years with infertility and it is by far the hardest thing I've gone through. We have endured much heartache but God always sees us through and He has given us a precious miracle after years of struggle. She was worth it! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Following you!
Stay positive and stay leaning on the Lord and it will happen. You will make great parents when the time comes !
What a fabulous, inspired post! It's so true, He has a plan and we just need to trust in Him. I'm so glad I decided to visit your blog and thank you for visiting mine!
Beth, as you know, I was in many weddings and was one of the last of my friends to marry. ;-) Therefore I was one of the last to have children....and at the time, I worried and fretted about the "delay" in my life and in the timing of those things. All I can say now is that those times were rich and were priceless as the Lord taught me sooo many lessons about myself and most importantly HIM. I know it may not comfort you, but I will be praying that you will cling to Him and trust that He is working it all out for your good and His glory. Life isn't about getting to a certain stage or place in life...it's about glorifying him and knowing him in whatever place you find yourself.
I don't usually take the time to read other people's comments. This post hit so close to home for me that I decided I would. From what it sounds like your hubby is just as supportive as my sweet man. Aren't we blessed??
Let me share my story with you. My hubby & I were married for 3 years when we decided it was time to start a family. Three years later we were told there was no chance we would ever have children by more than one doctor. Long story short. . . we found out I was expecting shortly after my 30th birthday and we now have a wonderful 19 year old son & 16 year old daughter. God has blessed us but in His time, not ours. You are so right, God does have a plan for you, in His time
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