“Hope deferred makes the heart sick…”
In my twenties, I used to quote this verse to God a lot. I guess I was not-so-subtly hinting:
“This is YOUR fault. This desperate ache… this gut-wrenching pain. It’s no wonder I feel this way. Your Word even says so — so I have a good excuse for wallowing in my misery and self-pity. If You don’t want me to, if You care about me at all, You’ll do something. Soon. Quickly.”
I could have been referring to many different things.
We all have to grow up and face the harsh realities of life eventually – and while our stories may not be the same, we can be sure they all include many kinds of disillusionment and disappointment.
But in this particular instance, I was referring to my childlessness … caused primarily by my singleness… though my doctor kept warning there were signs of trouble ahead, and if I wanted a family, I needed to start immediately…
Today I’m telling a part of my story over on A Girl on the Doorstep, hosted by my friend Jennifer Kostick. Jennifer first began blogging about her lengthy struggles with infertility, stillbirth, and miscarriage. She now writes on many other subjects, but she still encourages women who feel stuck, standing on doorstep of life, waiting and waiting for God to answer their prayers.
Some of her single readers have asked for help, as they, too, struggle with the pain of childlessness (for different reasons) — stuck praying and waiting….
Jennifer has invited me to respond.
Please join the conversation about trusting God with our disappointments, our heartaches, and “hopes deferred,” by clicking here.
