Infertility Encouragement from Sarah's LaughterSample

Even Now

What would you say to Jesus if you stood face to face with Him right now? Would you ask Him why you haven’t conceived? Beg for healing? Cry? Scream? Blame Him? Or ask for wisdom? Maybe “inside information” on His plan for your life? While you probably won’t get such an opportunity on this side of eternity, there was a woman in the Bible who did. The story is recorded in John 11.

Martha was a close friend of Jesus. When Jesus received word that Lazarus—Martha’s brother—was dying and needed Him, He didn’t come. When He finally arrived, it was four days after Lazarus had died. Martha, distraught with grief, confronted Jesus: “If only You had been here!”

Are you beginning to feel like a modern day Martha?

• “God, where were You when I needed You?”
• “Why didn’t You save my baby?”
• “Why won’t You tell me what to do?”

Interestingly, no questions by Martha are recorded here, but she did say something remarkable: “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Even now that the one I love is dead, even now that it seems that You’ve ignored our cries for help and mercy, even now that I’m so broken inside that I simply don’t know how I’ll face tomorrow, even now I know that whatever you ask of God, He’ll give it to You.

Martha looked into the eyes of a God who said “No.” She could have cursed Him, called Him cruel, turned her back on Him. The facts offered no hope; her feelings permitted no peace. Yet, her faith gave her just enough strength to utter, Even now... I know You are able; I trust You.

You have the same choice. You can curse God and walk away from Him, refusing to believe in a God who refused to breathe life into your womb, denying the One who denied you the moment to bring home the baby you’ve loved and lost. You can wrap yourself so tightly around your hurt that no one is allowed in. Or you can choose to trust in an unseen God whose plan is more invisible than His face.

Even now.

(Adapted from When Love & Sorrow Embrace: The Sufficiency of God’s Grace Through the Heartache of Miscarriage by Beth Forbus (C) 2006)