Gratitude Friday: Guest Post…

Believe it or not, we’re all still alive.

I know you were concerned.

My week began with an email from my boss entitled “Stuff”. It was promptly followed by two additional emails “More Stuff” and “Still More Stuff”.

Which was excellent since I didn’t have anything to do this week.

I mean, really. What’s three new employees, moving departments between floors, creating long term staff plans, re-writing some policies for the team and oh, right, the general “stuff” I already do like scheduling, managing some folks and research?

That ain’t nothin’.

Thankfully, I only had one day where my attitude got a little out of control. I had to leave work an hour late. Which meant that was one hour less I got to spend with Aubrey Kate.

So as I was asking for forgiveness on my way home for being upset, “While I’m Waiting” came on and I immediately turned it back around as a prayer of thanks for having my little one to spend 2 hours with. Who cares if it’s just two? That’s more than I had two years ago when I was crying myself to sleep at night.

Perspective. It's a thing of beauty.

There is much to be grateful for this week actually. Aubrey Kate started reaching and grabbing on to things. She had two wonderful days at “school” where her teachers have confirmed (unprompted by us) that she is the most laid back baby. One teacher said she was a nosey little thing because she likes to people watch. She gets that from me but I never thought of it as nosey. But I guess it is when you really think about it! Meme and Buddy came last weekend and I swear, I love watching AK smiling up at them. It’s like she recognizes them even though she hadn’t seen them in two months.

And to top it off, I found a black pencil skirt at Target.

That’s just a little slice of heaven right there.

But none of that is extremely life altering.

My dear friend, Tabitha, though. She had some stuff to share. Her blog is private but she graciously agreed to let me repost some of her post titled “Share the Love”. It is beautiful. She is beautiful. The work the Lord is doing in her life is beautiful.

As you read this, please think about the challenges you’ve faced. Take out the word "infertility" and replace it with your own "thorn". Cancer, bankruptcy, mental illness, divorce, addiction, whatever. How can you use those experiences to share Christ’s love? What doors has He opened for you?

Thank you, Tabitha!

“As I spoke with on of my favorite customers at work today about my infertility and how it's affected my life, I was reminded that everything happens for a reason. I know how often I repeat that God has a plan and He knows best, and that I truly am thankful for all infertility has taught me, but today I realized that my trials and tribulations are not always just my own.

"Everything I go through-infertility related or otherwise-is an opportunity to share God's love with someone.

"I often feel guilty for being a child of God, saved by His grace, yet seemingly unwilling to share the gospel with the world. Knowing that I should be out there, spreading the story of Jesus and how He died for us so that we wouldn't have to fear death and hell, but I've never been one to shout about it from the rooftops for fear of rejection, among other things.

"But my story-my infertility-can be my witness.

"I'm experiencing something difficult. Something frustrating, mentally and physically exhausting, and emotionally draining. But though this blog, and through the conversations with people that I'm able have on a daily basis, I'm given the opportunity to share Christ by showing the love and strength that He gives me to make it though these trials.

"I'm often complemented on how well I'm holding up, praised for how strong I am and how amazing my attitude is; but the truth is that I'm not these things. I'm weak, imperfect, broken and often times faithless. But God is made perfect in my weakness, and I know that if I try my best to glorify Him in every situation, He will heal my infirmities and lead me to where I need to be.

"I've always considered infertility as a sort of blessing because it's helped to change me, to mold me and help me grow into a better individual and a more competent future mother. But the truth is, I've always wanted an answer to why I'm really here, experiencing infertility, unable to escape.

"And I think I've found one of them.

"Because even if this cycle doesn't result in the pregnancy I've wanted for so long now, God may simply have intentions to use me to help someone else.

"Maybe God knew that I wouldn't be the most comfortable spreading the gospel in a more traditional form, but He knew that I'd be able to write a blog that would attract someone who needed to hear something He had laid on my heart. Or maybe He knew that I'd meet people every day on my job, individuals who would ask if I had any children, opening up doors for me to share my story and how I'm dealing with it by trusting in God to take care of me.

"Everyone has something in their life that they have trouble dealing with. We all face trials and tribulations of a drastic nature, and I always find comfort in knowing that my situation could be worse. But these past few days have really put things into perspective for me, and I just feel like God really has something amazing planned for my life. Right now, I'm praying that I become a mother, and that my husband and I have the family we've waited so long for; but I know that God my very well have other plans.

"So in the meantime, while I'm stuck here on this road, I may as well glorify God and do my best to share His love with others while I still have the chance. No everyone can empathize with infertility or even completely understand it, but if I can show someone-anyone-that God can give you what you need to get through anything if you just trust Him, then maybe this journey will have been worth it in the end.

"Whether I'm blessed with a baby, or not.

"Because in the end, it's really not about me. My desire should be to tell others about Jesus, to strive to be like Him and to share Him and His love with the world. And without infertility, I may never have been able to do anything with my life that would have shown the example that infertility has given me the chance to display. And while I'm certainly not perfect, and most of the time I probably do more damage than good as a child of God, it's still an opportunity that I have to share Him with everyone that I come into contact with.

"So now, among other things like desperately attempting to become impregnated, I'm on a mission to spread the love anyway I can. I'll think twice about being rude to the nurse who can't find my vein, have more patience with the doctor who won't email me back, and sympathize more for others going through physically demanding situations. And while I may not be good at walking around the mall and asking everyone I come in contact with if they have a personal relationship with Jesus, I'm still more than capable of using my story in attempt to come to the same end result.

"And if He chooses to bless me with a child in the process, I'll make sure my pregnancy is used as another example of His miraculous grace; because pregnant or not, I am blessed.And it's time to share the love."

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (KJV)