In the past 6 months I’ve had friends who’ve had babies, one with healthy twins, another who got to experience her first home-birth and another who had her 3rd son, whose gender was revealed after birth.
I’ve also had friends during the same 6 months who’ve gotten pregnant and are having healthy pregnancies after months of trying. I’ve even had friends who’ve had miscarriages.
There isn’t anything more sorrowful that I’ve experienced yet than losing the hope of holding another healthy baby in my arms that’s been crushed by miscarriage.
I’d like to say I have a plan or 3 steps to get you out of this hurt but there isn’t anything. All I can say is that I am trying to “give up my Issac” as our pastor’s father put it a few weeks ago. The story how Abraham and Sarah were finally given a child in their old age, only to be asked by God to offer their son up.
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love–Isaac–and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Genesis 22:2
Abraham did as God asked, unlike him, I would have a hard time with this as I think anyone would. He took Isaac, gathered firewood, built an altar, tied up Isaac and placed him on the altar. And then, although he didn’t want to or think it was the best idea, he was ready to sacrifice Issac.
But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Genesis 22:11-12
Abraham, although he didn’t want to, was willing to obey God. He was willing to lay down Issac. What is your Isaac? What are you holding on to? What are you having a hard time laying down? For me, it’s the desire to have more children and to trust God with our family size.
Your ability to let go, forces the ability to be free from the burden of carrying your Issac on your own. Laying down your dreams can help you to realize your full potential God has for you. I am learning this more and more everyday.
And I know it’s so hard. I’ll lay it down and pick it back up time after time. Praying that I can lay down my Isaac! The message translation of Genesis 22:12 says “Now I know how fearlessly you fear God” meaning without fear, that Abraham was brave. We have to fearlessly lay down our Issacs’ and trust God that He has the best plan for us even though in our human-minds it’s hard to understand. Take heart that God only wants the best for us!
Do you have a hard time laying down your Isaac?
About Rachel
Wow, really needed this post, it is exactly what I struggle with. When I was pregnant with our last child who was diagnosed with a fatal NTD this was the first Bible story that came to mind. I needed to be reminded of it and with a different perspective.
I wish there was no hurt in laying down our Isaacs. It sure would be much easier to do!
Java dive, I know exactly what you mean, I struggle too! And your right, it would be so much easier if we didn’t have to go through the hurt but then I guess God wouldn’t get the glory from us replying on him. Praying for you!
This is so good Rachel, we all have our Isaac’s that we think we can only take care of, or handle. So afraid to let go. But Letting go, or Laying it down, Giving it over to God is the only way we can get total freedom and trust that God will always do the best for us. His ways may not always be our ways but they are truly the perfect way.
We must always Trust in Him.
Love you!
Thanks Mom, love you too!
Sometimes I feel like I have to hold on to the Isaac’s I have because the rest of them (the promises God has given me) seem so far away.
Thank you for reminding me that I need to keep my eyes on Him and not what He has given me (or promised me.)
You’re so very welcome, I have to constantly remind myself too!
Thank you for this. My husband and I want to have children soon(ish) but over and over again the answer has been “wait”. Waiting on God for this is definitely my Isaac. I keep forgetting the that “wait” isn’t God stringing me along but a gentle “Wait for My Best”.
I guess I’m hard-headed when it comes to this!
So true Luna, waiting is the hardest! Praying for you!
Thanks for this encouragement and challenge. I love what Luna said about waiting for God’s best….what He has for us is the best…and it may not be exactly what, how or when we planned. So thankful God has put you in my path so we can encourage and pray for each other!
So glad that we can encourage each other as we walk this path… weeping, growing and learning to trust God more each day!