Monday, July 14, 2008

Celebrating God: My Memorial

Our pastor recently preached a sermon about how the Israelites set up rocks as a testimony to God parting the Jordan River for them, and encouraged us to celebrate and talk about what God has done. So I decided to testify here on my blog about some of the major things God has done for us, as well as make a shadowbox to display in our home so that we can talk about those things with Ellie and with visitors.


1. This is a picture of my referral to an infertility clinic in August 2003. It isn't very clear, but you can read my name and "Diagnosis: Infertility." At that point, Isaac and I had been trying to have our first baby for one year (13 cycles, for those who count such things and set their hopes upon each cycle). We had an appointment with a specialist and went over all our next steps and were even sent home with a sperm collection cup. After praying about it, Isaac and I decided to wait one month and then start treatment.

One morning soon after, I was sitting on my bed praying for a baby. I actually felt something move inside me, and I was filled with a peace and assurance that my prayer had been answered. (I have never felt anything like that again, by the way.) That month, I knew I would be pregnant, and I was. That had to be God.

To be honest, I believe that is an amazing miracle and I haven't testified about it the way I should have. Part of that is because I didn't know if people would believe me, part of it is because I don't know why God answered my prayers and not those of others, and part of it is because I didn't know how to work it into conversation without other people thinking I'm some crazy person. But my insecurities and faults shouldn't keep others from knowing how great God is and what wonderful things He does, so I'm testifying about it now!

God's answer to our prayers for a second pregnancy was not as dramatic, but I still believe it was Him. We tried for this pregnancy for a year and a half. Because we already had Ellie, it didn't feel nearly as heartbreaking and emotional, and we were still a little bit conflicted about whether we really wanted a second child, even though we were trying. Therefore, I didn't pray to get pregnant throughout this time, assuming that it would happen when it happened. The month I opened my heart to God and told Him that I wanted what He wanted in my life - whether that meant a second baby or an only child - was the month we got pregnant. Again, that had to be God. Otherwise, what else would make that month different for a couple who had already spent two and a half years trying for babies?



2. This is a picture of our car's windshield taken on Memorial Day 2004. We hit a huge turkey and it smashed our windshield. I was nine months pregnant and 3 days past Ellie's due date. When we hit it, Isaac confessed that he was already planning how to break the turkey's neck right away after it came through the windshield so that it couldn't peck and scratch and hurt me while sitting on my lap. God protected us and kept us safe through that. Although we were shaken up, we were unhurt and Ellie wasn't born until 3 days later!



3. This is a picture of the 18-foot long, 5-inch diameter branch that fell from our tree on Friday of this week. It must have loosened during a storm the previous day, and it fell onto our roof and bounced down into our front yard. Ellie and I were home alone when we heard the big thud, and we saw the branch when we looked out the window. I went outside to see if I could see any damage, and our neighbors across the street were pointing at our house and yelling that it fell on the roof and bounced off. Again, God protected us completely. There is no damage that we have to repair, and we're only left with a crooked planter and some squashed geraniums - much better than a broken window or a hole in our roof.

I'm so thankful for God's protection and His many blessings, and I'm excited to have my eyes opened to the other great things He is doing.

4 comments:

Bob Ryan said...

Your "pile of stones" serves as a great reminder to those who see it, but it also serves two other purposes. One, is that it reminds you. So often, as we get further away in time from events in which God has shown His hand on our behalf, we tend to forget just how clear it was at the time. The memorial continually places it in our minds so that we can be in thanksgiving. Two, is that you've been obedient. The very act of memorializing what God has done is pleasing to Him because you are obeying His command to make Him and His mercies known to all with whom we come into contact.

Does it make you look silly to some? Does it turn some people off? That is as it should be. The ways of God are silly and confusing to those who don't yet know Him, but that is how He gets their attention so He can draw them into the same kind of wonderful, miraculous relationship with Him.

Thanks for your "pile of stones."

Amy said...

Wow this is quite a testimony. Whenever I start to feel like God is far away all I have to do is remember all He's brought me through. Praise Him!

Bonny said...

Wow, those are really cool stories, Allison!!! Thanks for sharing!! I love to hear stories about God like that!!

J mom said...

Jason and I recently set up a memorial of stones as a reminder to us of how God wants us to be living our lives - putting Him first. (Though we did it before Pastor Jason even started this series, God's divine timing.)I appreciate your willingness to share from your heart and the personal things too. I find myself struggling and needing a reminder that God is in it all - the good and the seemingly bad. He has a perfect plan!