Deeply Planted Promises
Café Menu for Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Today’s Special is: Deeply Planted Promises
Carefully prepared just for you by your friend, Annah Matthews
Main Ingredient:
But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 MSG
Entrée:
My husband and I were celebrating our 7 year anniversary. We were so excited to mark another year of marriage together. One that had been through many ups and downs of trying to have another baby. We were the proud parents of our then three year old and we were overjoyed with the fact that we were finally pregnant with our second child. Nothing could have been better. After two years of infertility, doctor visits, numerous tests and treatments, we had finally conceived and our prayers were answered.
On our anniversary we went to the doctor’s office for an early ultrasound and OB visit and then were planning an anniversary dinner out. But all the joy ended in painful and abrupt sorrow when the ultrasound technician told us that our baby was not growing properly, the heartbeat was slow and weak, and our worst fears were confirmed. This baby that we had prayed so much for and spent weeks rejoicing over, would be one that we would never hold in our arms. We were told to go home and wait a few days because a miscarriage was inevitable. I was numb. I couldn’t even pray because I didn’t have the words. So I went to God’s Word begging Him for a spark of hope or comfort.
I heard God speaking to me through His Word, “Trust Me.” Are you kidding me God? You want to give us the joy of pregnancy and then take our baby away from us? You want me to trust that this is okay? You want me to believe that this is part of Your Will?
As I cried for the sadness and grief of knowing we were going to lose our baby, God continued to say to me that I could trust Him. He didn’t tell me that I couldn’t cry, hurt, be angry, or grieve. He said to trust Him and stick with Him. I began to ask Him, “Why should I? What is the point?”
At the time, I didn’t feel it, but I submitted my will to His Will. I cried and resigned myself to trust Him, despite what was going on around me. Immediately the promise of His blessing began pouring out on me. He began to give me the comfort of knowing He was there with me in my sorrow. He gave me the grace to pray for our baby to be taken quickly into the arms of Jesus. He gave me hope that He had a reason for this even though it was so painful. He surrounded me with His love, His strength, and held me in His loving arms as I wept. He led many people to pray for us and to cover us with His love and His Holy Spirit in our sorrow.
As the week wore on, I realized that God was keeping us calm through the drought and enveloping us with His peace in the heat of our hurt. He allowed us to plant ourselves deeply in the Living Water of Christ and He anchored us while we mourned. Even out of the pain and the loss, God has allowed us to share our story and bear fruit of encouragement with others. He continues to keep our root system strong and refreshes us with His Holy Spirit. Although there was no way I could have known it at that time, He had plans to bless us with two more children as we prayed and waited patiently.
Take Out:
When drought and heat bears upon you, where are your roots planted? I pray that no matter what season you find yourself in, Christ is keeping you anchored in Him. Spend time in His Word, get to know His truths and promises. Let Him speak to you in your hurt. Know that He is sustaining you, no matter what circumstance you find yourself in today.
Dessert:
Heavenly Father, when we feel like we are suffocating from the heat and we can barely survive the drought, would You anchor us in Your Word and promises? Even when our emotions scream, "no", would our hearts turn towards You as we deeply plant ourselves in Your promises. Your Word tells us that even in the toughest seasons, we can still bear fruit and remain calm and serene. It is only through Your power that it happens. We ask for courage and obedience to remain planted in You. Help us anchor ourselves in Your Word and trust Your promises to sustain us through even the most difficult seasons of life. Amen.
© 2014 by Annah Matthews. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Wednesday, 24 December 2014.
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