Misc Thoughts, Uncategorized

A Rainbow after a Storm

What is the greatest pain you ever experienced? What are the fiercest storms that have ever assailed you? We all experience painful seasons in our lives. It could be the death of a loved one, a broken relationship, a grim diagnosis. I’m sure everyone can think of something. I have been incredibly blessed with good health, loving friends and family, a wonderful husband, and so much more! Most of the pain in my life has been indirect where I am sharing in the pain of others, rather than being directly assailed by trials. But during the sunny, warm days of August of 2019, I experienced a heartbreaking storm. The last week of August began with so much joy. I discovered that I was carrying a precious child in my womb. Lars and I were ecstatic! Motherhood has been my dream career ever since I was a little girl. I was finally getting a chance to live that dream, but just a few days later our joy was turned to mourning. We had lost our baby. My heart shattered. The physical pain of a miscarriage is terrible, but it doesn’t compare to the emotional pain. Not only is their heartrending sorrow, but there is fear. Fear that I did something wrong. Fear that my body will never be able to carry a baby to full term. But God…. Those two little words have such power. I could have fallen into the depths of despair. I could have lost all hope. But God.. But God covered Lars and I with His peace. Though we grieved, He comforted us with His loving embrace and kept us from despair. He used our loss to draw Lars and I closer together and closer to Him. I will always love my first child. There will always be a part of me that still grieves, but God….

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21b)

Indeed, summer brought a terrible storm. However, in late autumn, as the the cool of winter approached, a glorious rainbow broke through the remaining clouds of summer’s fearsome gale. Christmas was only a couple weeks away when Lars and I found out that I was once again with child. We were overjoyed once again, but also anxious. We couldn’t bear the thought of going through the pain of loss again. We decided to tell our church fairly early in my pregnancy, because we coveted their prayers for our baby’s protection and our peace. I am so delighted to report that I am now 16 weeks along and everything is looking good so far! Lord willing we will meet our beautiful, little miracle in mid-August, almost exactly a year after my miscarriage. I still worry from time to time. I suppose a mother never stops worrying about her children. But I am so thankful that God is in control. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He does all things for the good of his people and for His glory. Praise be to God!

I apologize if you came here to read a knitting post. I hope to share some recent projects soon, but I wanted to share my story. I hope that it has brought encouragement to any women who have also had a miscarriage or even multiple losses. I am praying for you all. May you find peace and comfort in God our Father. If you don’t know Him, call out to Him today. He is ready and willing to adopt you into His family. ❤

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Misc Thoughts, Uncategorized

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving is a little over a week away and Christmas is right on it’s heels. 2019 has almost come to an end. I’m always amazed by how quickly time flies. As each day passes this month, I feel a little more pressure to get my Christmas knitting done. On the other hand, as Thanksgiving draws near, I realize how blessed I am to have so many wonderful people in my life to knit for. I am definitely an introvert and a homebody, yet I am surrounded by a large close-knit family and many loving, faithful friends. I certainly don’t deserve any of them. My heart breaks for anyone who doesn’t have any loved ones to share the holidays and or even life with. Perhaps now is the time to lay aside grudges and bitterness and learn to love one another.

In addition to the special people in my life, I’d like to list some other things I am thankful for this year.

  • God’s never ceasing love and grace. Even when I am unfaithful to Him, He is never and will never be unfaithful to me.
  • My husband has a good, steady job which makes it possible for me to be a stay at home wife and, someday Lord willing, a mother.
  • A good first year of marriage. Lars and I are both imperfect. We both say the wrong things at times. We can both be selfish and hurtful. BUT we make each other laugh. We let each other cry on one another’s shoulders. We forgive. We love. We look forward to the rest of our lives together. ❤
  • My passion for knitting. Knitting is much more than a hobby for me. It brings me joy. It is a way to exercise my mind and hands. A way to bless others. And it even has the potential to be a small business someday.
  • The freedoms we enjoy in America, especially religious freedom. My heart goes out to all who are violently persecuted for their faith in many countries.

Though there is so much more I could say, I will stop there. I hope this post has been encouraging to you all. I especially hope it has made you stop and think about all the blessings in your own life. It does a heart good to take time to think about such things every now and then. Thanks for reading! Please follow/subscribe if you enjoyed this post. ❤