Counting Our Blessings

On December 22, 1999, I was sitting in the short stay unit of the hospital waiting on the doctor. While I waited with my husband, we overheard a conversation next to us (on the other side of the curtain) between a husband and wife.

She was crying, and she said, "But it's my 10th miscarriage." You could hear the tears.

Her husband reassuringly said to her, "We must be thankful for the child we have." His voice was also quivering with emotion.

"I just don't think I can go through this again," she said between her sobs.

"I know, I know, but we'll get through this, we always do. I love you more than anything! We WILL get through this, I promise," he said lovingly to her.

It was tearing me up, even though I was there for the same reason she was. We were both there to have a D&C done that day, only she had been there 9 times before. I was broken-hearted, but my broken-heartedness didn't even compare to hers. The conversation that we overheard that day changed my life, forever.

My Story
I had found out a day earlier (December 21) that my baby had no heartbeat, the baby had died. I had been experiencing bleeding for about two weeks. After the ultrasound, the doctor called on the phone to say, "There is a baby, but no heartbeat. I am so sorry." His voiced echoed over and over again in my head the rest of the day, and for many days following. Bouts of depression and crying spells followed. I kept asking the LORD, "Why, why LORD, why did this have to happen to me, and at Christmastime?" God had His reasons, but only time would tell.

After accepting the miscarriage, and trying to move on, God blessed us again. I was pregnant and I was somewhat scared. Then a peace came over me, and I felt as if the LORD promised to give me this child. Nine months later my daughter was born, God kept His promise!

Looking Back
In 1999, I found myself wrapped up in my self, my children, my husband, and my duties. God was no where to be found in my life. Was I a Christian? I can't even tell you. Did my heart change? Absolutely! And for the better. God used my miscarriage to bring me back to Him! My focus was not where it should have been, I had forgotten God. When I began to experience complications in my pregnancy, I began to pray again, I began to remember God's wonderful attributes and He drew me "nigh unto Him."

Counting Our Blessings
As time passes, the memory remains the same and each year brings new experiences and new people into my life. I had another miscarriage in 2001, and an ectopic pregnancy in 2006, and though these experiences were devastating, they have made me more aware of the sorrow that others experience. We can become so self absorbed with our LIVES that we FORGET OTHERS. We must always be thankful for what God has given us. God is faithful, we must trust Him in EVERY THING.

Oftentimes, I find myself wallowing in self pity thinking, "I have to much to do!!! Nobody understands!!! I can't be spread so thin!!! Why does this always have to happen to me?!!!"

How selfish of me! How can I be so selfish to think that I am the only one in the world that has problems?!! Forgive me, LORD, forgive me! I must trust that God will give me the strength I need, He will bless in His due time. And He has blessed me, and He continues to be faithful.

Again, we must look around us. What has God given you today? what blessings? what sorrows? What about your neighbor or friend? Are they suffering from sickness, or grief?

Through all of my experiences I have learned one very important fact about God:
Nothing happens outside of the will of God. Nothing. NOT ANY THING!!!
He is perfectly in control and will always be. Look around you, have you thanked God for your family, what about the provisions He has given you? Be thankful, and be mindful; we mustn't forget those who have none. We must pray for them. Have you taken the time to pray for a family in need? (Remember, this is a reminder to me also!)

My miscarriages have taught me a very good lesson, they have taught me that each one of my children are true blessings from God. Blessings, great wonderful blessings. I must step back in time, sometimes, and forget my busyness, to be reminded of the blessing they are to me. And show them the blessing they are to me by giving them a great BIG hug & kiss on the cheek and let them know that I love them. They are my blessings, and I am surrounded by them daily. I must never take my children for granted.

How many folks do you know that are trying, without success, to have a baby? Have you taken time to pray for them today? Have you encouraged them, had them over for tea (if they live close by)? Let them know you care, and that you are keeping them before the Lord in prayer. God answers many a prayer, seek after Him, believe that He will answer your prayers in His PERFECT time. GOD IS FAITHFUL.

" Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"
" For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7-8

" Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done."
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Matthew 21:21-22

My heart mourns for my friends who desire to have children and have not been able. But I keep on praying, I believe God will make them parents someday, someway, somehow. God is FAITHFUL!!! HE CAN DO ALL THINGS!!! AND HE IS EVERYWHERE!!! He is truly faithful. Pray for your friends, family, and acquaintances. God will answer in His Perfect Timing!

May God Bring Great Blessings Your Way!!!
In Christ Alone,
Heather