I have an IPOD, I think its a pretty handy device to have. I get to listen to sermons, the bible, and worship music all in the palm of my hand. I was on the tread mill today and happened to be listening to an past episode of Wretched Radio. All was good and well. It was a very good program and then he started to veer off on to the subject of octomom. To make a long story short he begged the question, “that maybe your womb is closed because of some sin in your life.” That’s pretty much a direct quote and it wasn't addressed to octomom it was addressed to just your average infertile couple. And the way that he said it was just so snarkey.
Now, honestly I would not be offended by the question if it was asked out of love from perhaps a member of my church who is familiar with the situation or a friend or some one who knows my husband and I. I think what got my feathers all ruffled is that it was a reminder to me that people all around me are thinking just that, and it I just want it to stop. Being infertile is such a vulnerable place to be. Some times its like walking around with a big scarlet letter A or I on, whatever. Does someone automatically think, “Oh he has heart disease he must have some sin in his life because God’s not healing him.” No that would be wrong. But they do think that when a woman is unable to bear children.
I know that there is sin in my life. Some sins I know about and some that I’m still blind too. The truth is I’ve only been a believer for three years and I’m thirty. SO God saved me and He has to reconstruct this broken, desperately sinful, and hurting woman into a woman worthy of her highest calling as a daughter of the King. And in His sovereign wisdom He is using bareness to do just that. I hope some day that He will “take away my reproach,” but for now I get to joyfully wait and see what amazing work He is doing in my life and the lives of other believers.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Six Plus Two
10 years ago
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI can totally feel your heart on this. Even though I don't believe that is true, it still bothers me that others may be thinking it. The bottom line is that I don't need to be concerned about how others see me or my situation (although that's much easier said than done)! As I've been studying Paul and the book of Philippians, I realize more and more that God never promised us that we would not suffer. There are lessons to be learned in hard times and struggles, and in perseverance. I know that when you're in the midst of infertility and/or loss that it doesn't help at all to be reminded of the great lesson that God is trying to show you. Believe me, I know that. But I just wanted to encourage you that even if others might think whatever they will about why we can't conceive, Christ died once for all of our sins, and God does not hand out blessings according to what we do or do not deserve.
I agree that living with unconfessed or "hidden" sin is not what we are to do. But Jesus saved us from the law of sin and we are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). I rest in the knowledge that my infertility is not a punishment for something I've done. I may not ever know the reason why, but God knows and I trust Him.
Love ya!
those folks need to read the book of Job. if that doesn't answer that question, nothing could. God is not punishing us for sin... He is performing a great work in us and through us. if that were the case, everyone would be infertile. yes we are sinners, but isn't everyone? the difference being we are sinners Saved by God's Amazing Grace! He knows us and yet He loves us. love u girl!
ReplyDeleteThank you both for your thoughtful encouragement, your comments are so very helpful :)
ReplyDeleteLove Alicia
It is like in the Bible in John chapter 9 where the man was blind and the Lord heals him. they came and ask the Lord who sinned this man or his parents that he should be born blind? And Jesus answered them and said "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest (made known) in him. It is not by nothing that we have done or have not done that has made us infertile. There is a reason for this. A reason we may not understand right now. .....stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord with you.
ReplyDeleteThe Lord loves us and he is not going to punish us for some "unknown" sin that we have in our life. The Lord will reveal things to us and if there is something in our lives that we need to change he will show us even that.
People judge people that are unable to bear children as if they are being punished because they are not obeying the Lord. But we know this is not true. Was not Abraham and Sarah faced with infertility? Was not Abraham the "father of faith?" They did nothing wrong to have this put on them and neither have we. The parents of John the Baptist, Elisabeth and Zachariah had no children before John the baptist, the bible says that they were barren. It also says that they were righteous before God, walking in ALL the commandments and ordiances of the Lord blameless. This shows that this is not put on us because of disobidience and I wish the rest of the world would realize that also!
Alicia my prayers are with you and I am sorry I have left such a long comment!
you are NOT infetile b/c of some sin. if that were the case, everyone would be infertile. God has washed you white as snow. could He be teaching you a lesson? absolutely but it's not punishment.
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