The reception was subdued enthusiasm, which, in all fairness, was ours too.
We weren’t planning for a third child. We have our hands full with our 5-year-old son and 22-month-old daughter. And I know people say there is never a good time financially to have children, but this is really not a good time financially for us to have another child.
To be brutally honest, the pill failed us and now we are probably staring the most difficult challenge of our lives in the face: Do we trust God with our finances?
We would have said yes before we found out about No. 3. But this exciting news made both us take a step back and evaluate how deeply we were trusting in the Lord in this area of our lives.
Money is one of those things that Christians have the most difficulty in letting the Lord have control over. I can’t blame them. We work hard to provide for our families, and we get pressured into making sure we have enough stuff, the right cars and the right vacations. So, we tend to flinch when God calls us to give more to our local church or another ministry that is serving people.
Not long before we found out about the pregnancy (on Black Friday of all days), I toured a space in downtown Huntington with some other members of our church that will soon become our new home. During that tour, it was mentioned by our elders that to meet the vision of taking the next step for our church, giving would have to increase.
I immediately felt convicted that we have not been giving in proportion to what God is providing, despite the bills we are paying. I felt like we needed to double our usual monthly gift. And I still feel that way.
What I’m saying through all this is that it’s gonna take faith in our Lord and savior Jesus Christ for us to confidently navigate these next seven months and beyond.
And, to be honest, we’re excited about it. After the initial shock wore off, we realized that first and foremost, God wanted us to be pregnant or the pill would have worked like it has in the past.
Secondly, God must have an awesome plan for us 2012. He knows that our current finances can’t support another baby, so we’re excited to see how He’s going to provide for us.
Thankfully, scripture is full of verses to fuel our faith. Just read a few of them and see if God’s words don’t lift you up:
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Psalm 103:2-5)
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145: 18-19)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Your father knows what you need before you ask him. So do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today's trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:8b, 31-34)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:6-8)
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' So we can say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?' (Hebrews 13: 5-6)
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6)
God knows what we need, according to Matthew 6, and we are to ask in faith, without doubt, according to James 1.
We’re placing our hope in the Lord. In the book “Manna,” the author talks about learning to live on God’s daily bread one day at a time, having the kind of faith that does not question whether God will provide tomorrow. We must rely on Him and His daily provision and not put our hope in storing up wealth that can disappear in an instant.
So, please pray for us, that we will walk by faith and not by sight on this journey that is ahead of us. And I will pray for you, who are reading, that your faith might be strengthened through our example.
God bless you and your family, Bill! Thank you for sharing the whole story. You are not the first to be shocked by a game-changing development with no provision in sight. But your willingness to share honestly about the private wrestling that accompanies faith-- that's what sets you apart. It makes you more vulnerable and accountable, but it increases our faith. So talk on!
ReplyDeleteI am very happy to have more of your family to love, so I'm giving you another verse for your arsenal: "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward."(Psalm 127:3 ESV)
I'm asking the Giver of all good gifts to provide a healthy, low-expense pregnancy. However, I asked the same for myself, and He chose otherwise. But in the years it took to pay off that birth, God revealed Himself to me as Jehovah Jireh, my Provider. And I wouldn't change a thing.