Hey everyone! We have a miracle baby on the way! I want to invite you into this incredible journey with us!
Brandie and I have been married and madly in love for over 16 years now. We have been trying to get pregnant for 15 of those years. You may be experiencing something similar. I pray this blesses you.
It has not always been the easiest journey. I got to see all the ups and downs, all the joys and sorrows, all the lonely, heartbreaking mother’s days. I remember all the times when we just wanted to give up and throw in the towel. And let’s not forget birthdays… See, we got married on Brandie’s birthday, so we always do something really special to celebrate that day. The day of Brandie’s birth, and our wedding anniversary. But with each passing year, in some ways I noticed that she would become more and more sad, and her heart would break a little more each year. Another year gone by with unfulfilled hopes and dreams, another year with no child. I knew this was the desire of her heart, and mine too, but I felt powerless to help. I did what I could, but there was so little that I could do. I watched as she would take test after test, always believing, always hoping for the best, but always nothing. So many times I would see hope fading, but even on the worst days there was at least just a glimmer of hope.
We never stopped praying, hoping, and believing! Hope is joyful anticipation of God’s goodness. Hope believes, but faith sees! My wife is amazing! She knew that God had given her a promise and she held on to that promise with every ounce of hope that she had left! And now we are seeing that promise fulfilled! I am so proud of her! She, as Abraham, against all hope, in hope believed.
One of our dreams when we first got married was to raise our children in a foreign country for at least the first few years of their life. We wanted them to learn to be thankful and grateful for the things in life that matter most. Now we live in a foreign country. His timing is perfect! God never forgets our dreams! We are so thankful to see the promise of God fulfilled in our life! This little one is our miracle baby! We couldn’t be more thrilled with God’s plan and God’s timing in all of this!
If you could just indulge me to preach for a second….
Before Christ we were without hope.
Hope led us to anticipate God’s goodness – the gospel/good news, salvation.
However, we only take hold of this hope and this promise by grace, through Faith.
Faith connects us to that which we hope for, and without faith it is impossible to please God.
From this we know that – Our Faith pleases God!
Hope is anticipating or expecting.
Faith is knowing.
Faith is being fully persuaded.
Faith comes from hearing His voice.
Hearing His voice is what takes us from hope to faith.
Faith brings hopes into reality.
However, we know there is also the testing of your faith.
Testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Persevering faith = lacking nothing!
Romans 5:5 “..and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Go Ahead and Hope Freely in God, for You Will Not Be Disappointed!
Are you feeling hopeless about a situation?
Then you are most likely believing a lie.
Any area of your life that is not filled with Hope is under the influence of a lie!
Ask God right now, “What lie am I believing about this situation?”
He will show you.
“Father forgive me for believing this lie.”
Then ask Him, “What is the truth?”
Let Him show you!
Then keep your eyes fixed on Him, Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!
Blessings!
Comments (2)
-
-
May 25, 2014
diane thompsonThank you Josh for these beautiful words about God's promise to you and Brandie. I remember the day she said with tears in her eyes, "He promised me." She was still believing on a very difficult Mother's Day. Thank you for reminding us how powerful and consistent God's word is. I love you both and this child is going to be blessed with so much love and I can't wait. It still doesn't seem real. love, mom
May 25, 2014
nanette olesonDear Brandi and Josh, So much has been fulfilled. Just as Brandi looked for the person who needed a picture of a spinal cord, the eyes of the Lord have been searching for the couple who will faithfully steward the promised child and he has found you waiting and expecting. Not only is all of heaven rejoicing, we who believe in you as individuals and a couple are rejoicing. Alleluia