This is a very meaningful week for some women, even if they don’t say anything to you about it. I remember when I first heard that October was National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month; for one of the first times, I didn’t feel so alone. It also was a last push for me to share about my husband & my losses. So to many women, this week is a way for them to speak out or share their infertility journey. Or perhaps it’s a week that helps them realize they are not the only one. In fact, 1 in 8 couples struggle with infertility. It’s also a week that helps bring light to those who don’t have infertility, how much of a real & painful thing it is to so many people around them.
I hadn’t planned on posting about NIAW (national infertility awareness week) on my blog, honestly, just because of poor planning on my part, but I felt like I should say something. So I decided to share a few YouTubers & blog posts that have spoken to my heart while going through infertility. I encourage you to visit every one of them.
THE WEIGHT OF THE WAIT // BLOG POST
ELLIE & JARED’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL // A COUPLE WHO HAD 3 YEARS OF INFERTILITY DUE TO PCOS THAT NOW HAVE 2 HEALTHY BOYS
DAILY BUMPS YOUTUBE CHANNEL // A COUPLE WHO HAD MULTIPLE MISCARRIAGES BEFORE BRINGING HOME THEIR 2 BOYS
TO THE WOMAN WHO IS WAITING // BLOG POST
TRIALS BRING JOY // BLOGGER GOING THROUGH IVF
SUPPORTING A FRIEND THROUGH INFERTILITY // BLOG POST
If you haven’t struggled with infertility, then I encourage you this week to reach out to someone who has & buy them coffee or lunch. Maybe send them a text saying you’re thinking of them or send them a little gift. If you have infertility, I hope this post encouraged you. I pray for you & think about you. Here is a passage in the Bible that has spoken to me continually during the toughest of times.
PSALM 77.1-20 NLT
1 I cry out to God; yes, I shout.
Oh, that God would listen to me!
2 When I was in deep trouble,
I searched for the Lord.
All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven,
but my soul was not comforted.
3 I think of God, and I moan,
overwhelmed with longing for his help. Interlude
4 You don’t let me sleep.
I am too distressed even to pray!
5 I think of the good old days,
long since ended,
6 when my nights were filled with joyful songs.
I search my soul and ponder the difference now.
7 Has the Lord rejected me forever?
Will he never again be kind to me?
8 Is his unfailing love gone forever?
Have his promises permanently failed?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he slammed the door on his compassion? Interlude
10 And I said, “This is my fate;
the Most High has turned his hand against me.”
11 But then I recall all you have done, O Lord;
I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
12 They are constantly in my thoughts.
I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
13 O God, your ways are holy.
Is there any god as mighty as you?
14 You are the God of great wonders!
You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations.
15 By your strong arm, you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. Interlude
16 When the Red Sea saw you, O God,
its waters looked and trembled!
The sea quaked to its very depths.
17 The clouds poured down rain;
the thunder rumbled in the sky.
Your arrows of lightning flashed.
18 Your thunder roared from the whirlwind;
the lightning lit up the world!
The earth trembled and shook.
19 Your road led through the sea,
your pathway through the mighty waters—
a pathway no one knew was there!
20 You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep,
with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.
Although the context is very different, the feelings I’ve had, as I’m sure you have too, are very similar. I know you have felt like God has left you. I know you have felt like He has forgotton to be gracious to you. I know you’ve wanted to give up. But remember all the Lord has done!! He is good & does good. He loves you. He has not forgotten you. He cries with you. Be still in His presence & know He is God!
Beautiful, like you Bethany! You are my hero! So proud of you and how you choose to help and love others in the midst of deep sorrow.
I love you Bethany! Thank you so much for being such an encouragement!
You are an encouragement to others. Thank you!