I wanted to give a little encouragement to my friends who are still waiting to be "blessed" with a baby. Honestly, I can't begin to understand how it feels to be in your shoes. It did take us a year to get pregnant with Michael and it felt like a really long time.
However, I know that that is a drop in the bucket! I know that some of you have waited longer, endured hormone/fertility treatments, and miscarriages. So, I wanted to share with you a story that I hope will encourage during this time in your life.
I was on a road trip with a dear friend. She shared with me that the doctors told her that she would never have a baby. She told me about the struggles and pain that she endured.
Later on during this long trip, she shared about how much her and her husband was doing for her nephew. She told me that his parents never had time for him. They would basically have him everyday after school and on the weekends.
I hope you don't think my response was insensitive! It certainly wasn't meant that way. If she had not been a close friend, I'm not sure that I would have asked what I asked. I promise I did not ask with a sarcastic tone. It was a genuine question. I asked, "Do you think if you had kids, that you would have the time for your nephew that you have? The time to be a loving, Godly example for him?"
I think there was dead silence for like five minutes... seemed even longer! I will sitting there loathing myself for speaking without thinking. Then suddenly she said, "Oh my gosh! I have been so busy thinking about what I didn't get, that I was missing that God blessed me with an opportunity to be there for my nephew!"
I'm not saying to give up on that desire to have a baby; but, I do want to encourage you that while you are waiting that you look for opportunities that are there for you to bless a child.
There are so many wonderful women who get up and look for opportunities to be there for kids everyday. Some are fortunate to do that for a living...nurses and teachers for example. Some have opened their homes for kids in foster care or they even adopt children who they love with all their hearts. Some volunteer their time at hospitals, schools, churches, and other community organizations.
And, yes, some are the best aunt, neighbor, or church lady in the whole world! That lady that that kid grows up knowing that even when everyone else fails them, she will always be there for them!
So I encourage you to look for those opportunities while you wait on God's timing. Please don't miss the blessing!
