Full of Hope

Romans 12:11-13 (New International Version)
11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Joyful in hope

My heart is full of hope today! I went and talked to another local hospital about giving out the pregnancy loss kits and just walked away feeling so touched!!!! The nurse-manager of the OB department was so encouraging and caring! They already have some wonderful things they do when women suffer a later loss but I think this will compliment that well. I know so often people want to be in the OB units because it's such a happy place but it's nice knowing there are those that understand the harsh reality that it is generally a happy place... not always.

I cannot completely stop other families from suffering the same fate that we have but I can do my best to provide comfort during their time of need. I cannot do it alone though. I need the assistance of the hospitals as I don't know who receives these, the financial assistance of others in order to purchase everything, and the hands and time of those that make each blanket with love for these families. Without all of these combined there would be nothing.

I am so grateful for the people that have hearts for those of us who are hurting. The nurse I met today has such a big heart for her patients!! Friends have generously given financial help and have told us we need only ask when there are needs again!! Some of the women I've met making blankets have touched my heart in a way so deep I can not even begin to describe it! I am joyful in hope! I pray that we can continue to give here and also keep the ripples spreading further and further.

Patient in affliction

My husband reminded me of something recently when I was lacking of patience in my affliction. Granted I'm not afflicted with an illness... I'm just trying to remain patient until we get pregnant. I know I've posted on the topic before but he brought to my attention some verses I'd conveniently forgotten. He reminded me of Sarah's impatience. God told Abram/Abraham that not only would he have a son but he'd have too many descendants to count. Pretty impressive considering he was an old man... married to an old woman. But then, nothing is impossible for God.

Genesis 15: 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." 5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Sarai/Sarah grew impatient though. She wanted Abram to have a baby... rather than trusting God and His timing she helped the baby making along with her servant. Personally, I think Sarah was stupid in pushing her husband to sleep with another woman and I think Abraham was stupid in being pushed into it. Poor Hagar, she got stuck in the middle and just wanted the best for herself and the baby she bore. Sarah created a family feud that had lasting impressions between the half brothers and their heirs all because of her impatience and lack of trust. I don't want that. I want a baby now but more importantly I want God's will. And not just what God allows... I want His perfect will.

Romans 12:2
Living Sacrifices
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

This is a complete sidebar but I feel like I need to share this part of my heart too. By saying all this I do not want to in any way infer that God's will can only be a baby from my womb with no medical intervention. While I believe God is big enough for that I also believe that God has given talents to doctors for His purpose. There is also a special place in my heart for adoption as many people I love dearly have been adopted. I just am not feeling lead down either of those routes at this moment.

Faithful in prayer

Back to the first verse. I have been more faithful in prayer (though I still do not spend nearly as much time in prayer as I know I should). And by prayer I mean more than just a list of requests. I've been focusing more on praising God and also confessing my sins (sometimes over and over again) and thanking Him for the blessings we do have... but I also take my requests and lay them at His feet. I don't know where God will lead me but I will do my best to be patient and let Him lead.

Be joyful in hope,

Patient in affliction

&

faithful in prayer.