'tis so sweet

I got a chance to sit and chat with a girlfriend of mine. She, too, is having difficulty getting pregnant. I see and understand her struggles and I can't help but be saddened. There are so many couples, like Johnny and me, that are praying and longing for kids, but for reasons only God knows, it's just not happening.

Johnny and I are now in our 15th month trying to conceive and its hard not to be discouraged and saddened each time there is a glaring negative sign on the pregnancy test. Many tears have been shed in frustration and sadness. But in the midst of all this sadness we know that this is our gift from God.

This gift has increasingly pushed us out of our sinful, self-reliance and into trusting Him more and more. He is teaching us to trust in His sovereignty and to have hope in Him alone - a hope that, because of the resurrection, there is a day coming when all will be as God intended it with no more pain, no more struggles, no more heartache.

John and I continue to pray that we will be able to "be fruitful and multiply" - whether that be through natural birth or adoption. But until then, in the words of our Lord, "... not my will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

Here's an old hymn called 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus that we recently came across that's been another gift that God has given us to remind us of His faithfulness.

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, and to take him at his word;
just to rest upon his promise, and to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more!

I'm so glad I learned to trust thee, precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
and I know that thou art with me, wilt be with me to the end.