Isaac’s wife Rebekah, who was barren, cried out for a child and God gave her 2 boys, Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:21-25). Jacob’s wife Rachel was barren, cried out to God and He gave her Joseph (Genesis 30:22). In 1 Samuel chapter one, you can read about Hannah’s story. Hannah’s plea to God was so much like mine,
Hannah wept in anguish, didn’t want to eat, had a bitter soul, pleaded with God, complained, and was grief stricken… (1 Samuel 1:7-20). I too poured my heart out to God. I didn’t care if a baby came from my womb or not, I just wanted to be a mom! Over four years were spent questioning if I’d be a mom, and if so, when? I pleaded with God to take away my desire because it hurt too much to want.
Have you ever wanted something so badly and really felt the desire initially came from God? This is how I felt. During this time of waiting in my life so much happened. God grew my faith! He knew I’d need the faith and strength that would come only from patience and pressing on to care for the special needs of the boys He allowed to be placed with us. I learned God’s timing is different than ours, and is perfect!
During the time of waiting, I became so much closer with God. I examined myself as a person and a mother-to-be. I took classes, read books, made friends, enjoyed my husband; these were all things that would later benefit me. In hind sight, God has been gracious in allowing me to see some of what He had been working on behind the scenes. God didn’t forget me. He was there the whole time answering my prayers and preparing the path for His perfect will in our life.
When you feel like you have poured your heart out to God and He has not heard you, please know He does hear us. His answers aren’t always the ones we want, but His ways are perfect. We should want His will. Abraham’s wife Sarah was told that she’d have a baby and she laughed. Rather than waiting on the Lord’s will and timing, she gave her servant Hagar to her husband to have a baby. We all know what happened as a result of that (if not, please read Genesis chapter 18 through chapter 21.). Sarah gave birth to Isaac in her old age. Isaac’s grandchildren became the children of Israel. I really believe we will be blessed if we can learn patience in the Lord and trust He hears us when we cry out to Him.