Every time I find out I am not pregnant, I plunge through a depth of emotions. The process, though familiar, is still difficult each time.
At first I felt responsible. If I could just learn what Heavenly Father wants me to learn, then I could “pass the test” so to speak and finally be able to have a baby. I felt like if I could obtain all the understanding I was meant to gain from this trial, then it should be lifted, right?
I would hear women with children use a certain word that was guaranteed to break my heart anew. “Trust.” They would say, “I am so grateful that Heavenly Father TRUSTED me enough to give me one of His own children.” They would say, “I don’t know what I did to deserve my children, but I am grateful that Heavenly Father TRUSTED me with them.”
I would think, “Am I not trustworthy? Why doesn’t Heavenly Father trust me?” In my heart I knew that I had not done anything wrong. I knew that I was not being punished, but Satan will do anything to convince you that you are not enough.
In a way, infertility feels more like “divine punishment” than other trials because we know that children are a gift from God. Children being born into families is all part of the plan. We know that our power to procreate is God-given. It is easy to conclude, therefore, that those who are not able to procreate are having these blessings suspended. Is the same God who gives children to some, withholding children from others? We sometimes forget to think of fertility/infertility as a biological process. Not every child conceived is a reward for righteous living. Conversely, those who aren’t able to have children are not being punished for their imperfections.
For some reason we don’t look at other physical trials (such as handicaps, cancer, etc…) in this way. I would never think that a person who struggled with a life-threatening illness was having their health withheld from a loving Heavenly Father. So why am I tempted to think that I am having children WITHELD from me?
Yes, infertility is a spiritual, physical, and mental trial. Yes, God is over all. Yes, He has a plan for me, and that obviously included the current trials I am passing through. But I know that even good people are given trials, not because of things they did or didn’t do, but because trials are just a part of life.
I have found that when I approach my Father in Heaven, and bear my soul to him that He is always listening. When I beg for my desires for motherhood to be realized, I have learned that He is not saying “no,” He is saying “wait.” So it is with most trials we are asked to pass through. He has never left me alone. I know He loves me. I know that it will all be all right in the end. All I have to do is wait, and I never have to wait alone.
I just found your blog, and your thoughts are beautiful. I've been living through the pain of infertility for 9 years, and I do often feel alone, but know that Heavenly Father is mindful. Thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI hope it's not insensitive of me to say so, but I feel in some minuscule way that I can relate. I didn't get pregnant right away (although it only took a few months, so I know that's nothing compared to what you're going through) but even in just that short amount of time I experienced these same feelings. What you said is so true. Satan really will do anything to make you think you're not enough. Even as a mother. And tonight when I felt just that way I caught myself wondering, "How can Heavenly Father TRUST me with His child if I seem to fail so often?" But you are right to hold tight to Heavenly Father. I have faith that you will have children someday. And it makes me smile and warms my heart to know that they will be just as sweet and funny as you are.
ReplyDeleteWhitney you have such a beautiful way of expressing those painful personal feelings. You have great courage and insight. Perhaps there is something special in store for each of us who have been given the challenge of waiting. I'm certain Heavenly Father has beautiful things in store for you.
ReplyDeleteWhitney,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this blog post. After 4 years of this and the knowledge that we just can't, it still hurts every month. So thank you for your faith and your trust in our Heavenly Father. You put this so beautifully. Your example through all this means so much to me. You are wonderful. I also have faith that you will have children someday and your children will be so much better off because you're going through this. Because you'll cherish them even that much more. And because you'll be able to pass onto them all that you've learned through this trial.
I love you Whitney. I wish I could give you a hug and we could both have a good hug and then go and scrapbook something. :)
I'm so sorry to read about your troubles with getting pregnant. I started reading your blog before you sent me the url :). I felt so sad for you guys because you would make a perfect mother. Ever since reading your blog about a month ago Bryan and I have kept yall in our prayers. Keep striving and eventually you will be blessed!
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