We have "just" one son. We don't have any other children...on earth. Since my son was born (he's almost 9 now!), I have had at least 3 miscarriages. And, yes, I have been thoroughly checked out, have tried some medication, have looked into adoption, and have prayed. And you know what? At this moment, I am at peace with all of it - it's God's will for our family. We are a happy little family.
Though we haven't been blessed with many children, we have been blessed with one fabulous son and in so many other ways. It's good to remember that. Because we have one son, we have been able to: host Bible studies and tea parties, make and take dinners for families in need, send our son to a Christian school that we dearly love, volunteer at school, and watch other families' children, among other things. Perhaps this is what God wanted for us - to be able to bless the families that have more than one child.
Because of my miscarriages, I went through some genetic testing and discovered that I am at higher risk for blood clots. Discovering this was a blessing! It's very important to know for medical reasons and I now take a baby aspirin a day as a preventative measure. I never would have been tested for this for any other reason unless I actually had some blood clots. Thank you, Lord!
Our son used to regularly pray for a baby sister or brother. He doesn't seem to anymore - I think he's accepted that this is what our family looks like. He loves to be around other kids, but is always happy to come back to the calmness of our home. Sometimes that makes me happy and sometimes that makes me sad. I think he will be a wonderful father someday and he has mentioned that he would like 7 kids! Maybe we will end up having more grandchildren than other families!
That's our story of "just" one son. It makes me think about "just" one Son of God, who died for our sins and saved us through His blood. "Just" one son can be a wonderful thing.
Some notable only sons were/are (these are just a few - there are many): John the Baptist, Hans Christian Anderson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Cary Grant, Roger Staubach, Joe Montana, Alan Greenspan, and Tiger Woods.
An absolutely lovely post. Thank you for sharing this, and your wisdom in all of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't give up on entertaining the thought of adoption...there are so many little boys and girls who would be blessed to have a wonderful home like yours to be loved in. My husband and I hope to adopt one or two little toddlers, hopefully in the next five years or so.
It's really quite amazing to be reminded that we were adopted by God.
Oh...I can't even imagine what it would be like to be so excited...and then to have miscarriages time after time. Thank-you for sharing the difficulties you have had...and the grace with which you have accepted them. I am so thankful that you have been blessed with one terrific son! And seven grandchildren is something wonderful to look forward to...I'm so enjoying my four.
ReplyDeleteI am one of two children. My best friend was 1 of 5. I always loved being with her family for all the chaos and laughter, and yet, at my home it was sooo quiet and calm, in many ways it felt like the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteIt's so difficult when you want something and you can't get it.
ReplyDeleteThank God for your strong faith.
Just love on your son and allow his friends to your home.
I love reading about him.
I think your perspective is awesome. You are a mom and having more kids doesn't make you more of a mom. I went thru years of infertility and I still don't know why, except to encourage others. Your post will do just that.
ReplyDeleteBtw, you WON the golf gift set!
Thanks for being so open and sharing this with all of us. I am sorry for your miscarriages, I just can't imagine that.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I can't have any children. We would love for God to bless us with children, in whatever way he desires. But He has taught me so much about him and I am grateful for everything and wouldn't change a thing!
Although I have been blessed with my 10 beautiful ARROWS, I have had 2 miscarriages. I know how losing a baby feels and the the possibility of not being able to have any or anymore.
ReplyDeleteYour blog entry made me cry. Your content spirit and expression of excepting God's providence with grace really moves me. You make me love you and your family even more, if that is even possible.
Bryce is blessed indeed to have a mommy (and daddy, too) that teach him the things of the Lord and nurture him to grow to God's glory.
I have three children now, but in between my second and third I had miscarriages. In my case, I had undiagnosed hypothyroidism which I was treated for before we had our son. While we have three children, our youngest is so much younger than the other two that he feels sometimes like he is an only child. I am actually looking forward to life with just one child in the house. I can really zero in on him and focus on his needs as an individual. He is almost 8 so we will have many years of him being the "only" in this house!
ReplyDeleteI love your perspective and know that God will bless you (as he already has!) in many ways, whether it is with more children or bless you through the one you have and your ability to bless others because of that circumstance.
What a little treasure you have! Thanks for sharing your story!
Blessings,
melissa
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI haven't stopped by here since LaTeaDah's tea blog-a-thon.
I have been married for 14 years to a wonderful man and we have no children. We know not why but the Lord in His mercy has given us a peace about it. It's difficult when people ask you the tough questions and want to try and solve things for you.
When King David's son died he said that his son could not come back to him but one day he will go to his son. There is that hope for the little lives that were miscarried...one day you will see them.
I will keep you in my prayers that God would give you all a deep peace about your family. Just think... the three of you form a trinity.
This is beautiful. I am sending to my cousin who has been dealing with secondary infertility for 4 years. It's hard for her and I don't know what to say to her. I have had three healthy kids in 5 years while she waits for just one. I love your attitude. It's wonderful that you are able to see the blessings you do have instead of focusing on the ones you don't. I admire that.
ReplyDeleteThat was beautifully written! Thanks for linking!
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT perspective! And a great way of thinking that you've passed on to your son! Beautifully written!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post! One of my best friends has had problems conceiving and she tells me the careless questions people ask are often the hardest to bear. She has also accepted God's will, and is content is His other blessings in her life.
ReplyDeleteI have "just" two kids, and I really appreciated your post. Moms can be pretty competitive about who is busier, who has more kids, more responsibilities, etc. We try to be superwoman too much! Your post is a great reminder that a 3 person family is just as blessed and full of love as a bigger one. Being able to bless others with your time is a wonderful gift. Thanks be to the Lord for making each family unique and for giving you such a healthy perspective!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your perspective and how you are trusting God.
It took me over 3 years to have my first baby and I truly thought she'd be an only child... and I had peace about it. Surprisingly, I had a second baby girl... and I am so thankful. But I hope that even if Julia had been an only child, that I also would have continued to be at peace with it.
This outdated photo on my profile is me with Julia.
Thank you for this post. I, too, have one child on earth and three in heaven. We are still trying, but I am gradually coming to the point of accepting that our family may always be the size it is now. I am sharing this post with some other friends who have only one child in the hopes that it will encourage them as well.
ReplyDelete