Jenny and I were invited to participate in a photo project where each person in the circle takes scripture verse/s and then takes a corresponding photo to illustrate what that piece of scripture is saying to them. We will each link to another’s blog post that way we will have gone all the way around the circle visiting each other’s posts and reading what God has been teaching each of us.
This is what I (Stephanie) have been learning……
Some of you may know that for the past two years, my husband and I have struggled to get pregnant with our second baby. (We actually struggled for two years to get pregnant with our first baby as well.) Friends who got pregnant at the beginning of our struggle were now getting pregnant the second time around. And still we waited. And it was painful. To be honest, it still is.
We went through six months of failed Clomid and then were at a standstill. I decided the medication was too much for me to deal with and chose not to go forward with the next step. We then went to an informational meeting at an adoption agency and were excited about the possibility, although I didn’t feel the timing was right and decided we should get over all the craziness of the holidays before going further. Towards the end of the year I started contemplating going back to the doctor for the next step, self injections. Then, two weeks before Christmas we found out we were indeed expecting. It happened during the most stressful month of the whole year. I had two weddings to shoot, one being my brother’s that I ended up having to photograph by myself. Thanksgiving was around the corner and then Christmas. My husband’s job had him gone most days and nights of the week. So we had decided to give up trying until January. But God, being the great God that He is, chose to show us that we indeed need Him. Why I think I can do a better job at managing my life than an all knowing, powerful and loving God, I have no idea. It basically comes down to the Garden of Eden and the fall of man. Adam and Eve chose to trust in the serpent’s lies instead of God’s truth. A trap I’m sad to say, I fall into far too often, but a major lesson that God has taught me through all of this.
When I think about that part of the pilgrimage that God had us on, it reminds me of this Psalm. We have just passed through the Valley of Baca, also known as the Valley of Weeping. Looking back, I can see God’s gentle hand and guidance as we traveled through that land drenched with tears. And I know God taught me much and grew me more than I could have otherwise. One of the biggest lessons He taught me was on trusting Him. While I can’t say I have it down, I can say that it’s a lot clearer. And while we will probably pass through The Valley many more times, I know that He will tenderly lead me to a place of springs and bring rain as He has always done before and that the valley won’t last forever. Whether the destination on the other side of the valley is the one we’re hoping for or something else entirely, it will be God’s perfect plan for us in His all knowing wisdom and love.
O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.
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