Lessons from a Child

A few years ago, Eleanor began asking for a baby brother or sister.  We took these opportunities to teach her about prayer.  Each time she would ask, we would redirect her to pray about it.  We would also temper our teaching with the fact that God sometimes says "No" and explain that even if she prayed for it, God may not give her what she is asking for.
As time went by, and Bryan and I silently struggled with infertility, Eleanor remained faithful.  I would catch her whispering simple prayers to her Jesus as she played with her toys.  She would bring it up and we would reminder her that the answer may not be what she wanted.  She would also remind us to have faith by saying things like, "Just stick with the plan, Mom."
One day, right before school was out, Eleanor came home with an announcement.  She said, "Mom, I was praying for a baby today in school and I think God said yes.  I am not sure though, because Mrs. Stephan was talking."  That sweet child had heard from God.
Yes, we were going to have a baby.  A few days before this proclamation from my child, I had gotten a positive pregnancy test.  Blood work had been done to confirm it and everything looked good.
I wanted to fall on my knees, scoop that child in my arms, and tell her right then that she had taught her mother an amazing lesson in faith.  When Bryan and I didn't believe it would ever happen, our child lead us through with a firm childlike faith. 

Yesterday, we saw that sweet little heartbeat and we got to share the excitement with Eleanor.  Let me tell you, that girl is excited!  What a lesson of prayer and faith that child has learned at an early age. 
When I ran across the scripture above in Luke a few weeks ago, it struck a cord in my heart.  You see, we couldn't have another baby.  After several failed attempts at infertility treatments, we had given up.  There seemed to be no way that it was going to happen.   Five years had gone by.  My Lord had different plans.  He waited for us to throw up our hands in surrender.  Then, He did what no drug or treatment could do.  He created a life without help from medicine or doctors.  He made my barren womb fruitful!  Praise be unto God for this amazing gift!  My heart overflows with such praise and gratitude.  God did what only God could do and in his way and his timing. 
So, we will happily welcome the fourth member of our family into this world in January 2013!!!