You may know that Emma and I have three little ones who are with Jesus (for more read here). But today we can announce that we have a fourth little one who is with us - in utero at any rate. It looks like this little one might see the light of day! In other words, we're pregnant! But I put it like that because, well, that's kinda how pregnancies are it seems: incredibly precarious and surrounded by uncertainty and death. But that's where the life and hope is.
We're taking a while to get used to the "life and hope" stuff - this pregnancy has been 'touch and go' at many points and Emma and I have been stuck down some very deep pits in the past. We're also aware that we have travelled with many other couples through childlessness and the news that we're pregnant will, understandably, be received by some with grief as well as joy.
These sorts of things always seem to get missed off the Facebook Status Updates. And that's probably why we've mainly avoided Facebook during struggles with childlessness. Those status updates aren't wrong - simple expressions of "We're pregnant!" aren't wrong - but it's struck me powerfully today that they're by no means the full story. And it's worth giving space for that full story at points.
All that being said, now is a time for rejoicing. And as we allow others in on our news, you help us find our bearings. Now is the time to say "The Lord has been good." And you have no idea how good He's been! Not many years ago I thought I'd have to bury my wife, now we've got a nursery to decorate. The Lord is so good!
So with the bigger story in mind, and in fellowship with one another, celebrate with me what God has done:
Some wandered in desert wastelands,
finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty,
and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
to a city where they could settle.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
for he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things." (Psalm 107:4-9)
Congratulations to you and Emma as you continue to journey what is a very fraught road. May God give you every grace as you go on - and we all look forward to hanging out with your full family (and ours as well) in the light of the world to come.
Great news. My best to you both - thoughts and prayers are with you.
Congratulations, Praying for you.
Thanks so much Steve, Howard and James. The Lord is good!
I just commented on your old post {which you linked to in this one}, not realizing it was old. I came to this one a few days ago via my subscription e-mail, and must have clicked to read your "for more" post, but forgot I did so when I came back to this browser tab a few days later to read it. So, when I was reading, I thought I was reading a current post. After I commented, I realized the dates of the other comments were from last September. So my comments probably seem very strange... not at all what you would expect to read at a time when you are rejoicing for the new life you both are waiting to meet. Knowing what you have gone through recently, I am rejoicing with you... because of God's goodness. I will be praying for the life that is growing and for protection over the pregnancy. I don't even know you, but I am joyful that you have been given a good report. I've walked both paths... both the excited "we're pregnant and everything is going well" announcement path, and the other... where I crawled into a hole for six months to grieve the inevitable loss of a baby. I am so glad that you have written your post this way... for the sake of those who have lost or experience infertility and find it so hard when other announce their joyful pregnancies. It can be so heartbreaking. And I know, from what you've written, that you know that well. So your perspective here is good and honest. Most importantly, many congratulations. Praying for health and safety of your baby and your wife.
Again, apologies for the comments on the old post or any confusion it might have caused.
Hi Georgia,
Sorry to create the confusion but actually it's been a wonderful reminder to Emma and I of the journey the Lord has had us on in the last 12 months. The Lord takes away and the Lord gives: Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Yes! The Lord is Good and He knows I love you and Emma. May He bless you both and keep you near...
Thanks Ken, much appreciated :)