Children = Trials and Tests?

Children cause trials and tests in our lives. 

Think about it...you have to allow your selfishness to go to the back seat, to take of a babies needs. They can't care for themselves...so someone has to do it.

When children get older, selfishness still takes a back seat to their needs, their education, their character building.

Sometimes, those trials and tests begin before birth.

Sometimes...things happen, like miscarriages, devastating news that your baby isn't 100% formed or will face some obstacles after birth.

Things like stillbirth, happen.

Sometimes, a mother gets sick, which causes the baby to be taken early, before possible death happens to both.

Sometimes...not everything is perfect. Not everything is the way we want it, or expect it to happen.

Sometimes, it's down right scary to not know what's coming down the road, even before a beloved child will be born.

BUT...

Isaiah 41:10, Fear not, for I [am] with you; Be not dismayed, for I [am] your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'


In the Bible there are 356 verses that say to Fear Not...one for every day of the year. I don't think this is a coincidence at all. I think this is God reminding us to whom we should be relying on, and that fear isn't from Him. 

It's so easy to allow fear and worry consume my thoughts. So easy. But that isn't the burden God wants us to take upon ourselves. He wants us to experience and know His peace. He wants us to have HOPE, even in the trials and tests that come. Hope. 

Hope, because there IS a way through this valley. Hope, because there IS a path of peace to walk, when things get a little too much for us to handle. 

Hope. 

Psalm 38:15, For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.

Yesterday, my family and I walked a path that we're familiar with. But one we'd prayed and hoped to not walk again. 

Once again, my body has rebelled against being pregnant, once again we travel down to Phoenix for our care. Once again...we are thrown into the fire of the unknown and scary. 

Once again...wait...what about not having fear, you say?

Exactly. 

On our way down to the appointment, with all these fears, unknowns floating around, we prayed. I sent out texts and calls for prayers. I read my Bible. Found my verses for comfort. Verses to remind me to FEAR NOT, that tests are to be something to have joy over, that God is with us, He provides a way THROUGH this valley, a way without fear. 

And I found my Hope again...I found my Peace. My God was there to meet me, to carry me. To give me comfort. 

Once again, I'm reminded, He knows the day and hour of Molly's birth. He knows what is coming. He has been there for us through the years, why wouldn't he continue? 

Once again...I hold this truth to my heart, that He KNOWS and He PROVIDES. 

I am at rest, because He is at hand. 

Acts 2:23, Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.