My daughter was born as a result of in vitro fertilization. My husband and I were earnestly praying for a child. Becoming parents was a “promised land” we wanted. We were told the only way to get there was in vitro fertilization. But the battle looked too hard. First it cost a lot of money. Committing our life savings to a 50/50 hope that we might become parents seemed foolish.
The medical process was daunting. The path to pregnancy with in vitro fertilization is filled with needles—big needles. I would be injected daily with hormones designed to throw me into early menopause and then a different set of hormones to force egg production. My body would be a pin cushion and my emotions would be on a roller coaster ride. I figured a puppy might be a better idea. But God kept prompting us to go for it. Why trust God for a miracle? Why take the chance? Why not ignore God’s leading?
Impossible for God?
In the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke the angel Gabriel told Mary she would be the mother of the Son of God. She asked how this could be and in verse 37 he told her “nothing is impossible with God.” I’m sure Mary had fears, but like Caleb and Joshua, she looked at the promise and saw that it was “exceedingly good.”
Embrace Obedience
I wish I could say I didn’t grumble and complain as I went through the process to become a mother. I wanted to quit. I felt sure it wouldn’t work. It took all the encouragement of my husband, friends, and family to get me through it. In the end “nothing was impossible for God.” Every time I mention how our daughter was conceived I am told she is a miracle. God gets the glory. God gave the victory. What giants are you facing in your life? Is God asking you to obey in a tough situation? Imagine the end result of obedience. Imagine walking into the promised land. Rebellion walks away from the promise of God. Obedience embraces it. |L
Dianne McIntosh lives in Sweet Home, Oregon with her husband John and her daughter Annalee. Dianne works with the Oregon Christian Convention doing publicity and program development.
