As I write this praise report, I can say boldly that God is bigger than all our
questions. There is always an end intended by God for every question we may have
(James 5:11). I realize as a Christian I have had the tendency, as we all
sometimes have to think we don’t deserve certain kind of problems (as if these
problems are meant for others and not for us).
Honestly, I trivialized pregnancy before my marriage, I always assumed it will
just follow after one gets married, if any thing, all that bothered me when I
got married to my darling husband in 1995, was what method of family planning
would be best, I never imagined for one day that I’ll be spending the next seven
years asking God why children were not forthcoming. Over these years of waiting,
I have not only learnt to trust God more but I have realized that time belongs
to Him no matter what our Calendar reads and how we may choose to mark time.
When storms gather, the devil intends that they send us down the valley but God
allows storms so that we grow more and more to trust Him for the supernatural,
something beyond the ordinary. Today, I can say I have experienced that
supernatural power of God. I have learnt that the Anchor holds even when the
ship is battered. I am glad He chose to use me to manifest His power.
Please take a few minutes to ponder on our testimony below and let this be an
encouragement to everyone that with God, nothing is impossible. (Luke 1: 37)
In the first year of marriage, I wasn’t too bothered about having a child.
However, I became anxious in the second year, when nothing happened. As the
years went by, we resolved to trust God totally as Medical Science could not
offer any answer.
About late 1999, I became pregnant and we were totally overjoyed. I was
convinced this was the end of the problem. Out of nowhere, the enemy attacked
and I had the baby pre-term in the seventh month of pregnancy. I had a lways
thought the pain of waiting for conception was the worse any one could pass
through but now I know that it is a “child’s play” when compared with being
pregnant and loosing it. Our first child (a beautiful baby boy) died about two
hours after delivery and up till today, I can’t explain why.
There was no complication at delivery and well, I had heard of babies surviving
at this stage of pregnancy, in fact, I thought it was going to be one of those
exceptional testimonies but God knows best! I thought I will not come through it
but God gave me a song, the song never left my mouth. Funny enough, it was a
song of victory. Many may not see the victory in this circumstance but God made
me “see” what was meant for me in this seeming terrible trial.
First of all, I realized that I could no longer be considered “barren” because
God had opened my womb with this child. Secondly, I could trust God more since
this again proved that medical science was not ultimate. Finally, I could
appreciate Habakkuk 3: 17-18) that when the fig tree does not blossom, I will
still praise the Lord. My resolution was that no problem or question will quench
my thirst and Love for God because I serve Him not for what He chooses to allow
me pass through but because I love Him and rest in the assurance that His word
and promises NEVER fail, even if they tarry.
These lessons carried me through and when we immigrated to Canada in September
2001, we decided that rather than continue to “ask” God for Children, we will
begin to “thank” Him for having them by faith. It was with this attitude we
received the conception of another child in February as we marked our seventh
wedding anniversary. We believe strongly that God’s gift for this anniversary is
our Son Nathan (Nathan means the gift of God) born on 20th October 2002. We also
call him Joseph because God has greatly increased us in Canada beyond imaginable
measures. What the enemy thought evil, God meant unto good (Gen 50:20) Like
Rachael of old, I can proclaim that “The Lord remembered me, I have conceived, I
have a son, God has taken away my reproach, the Lord has given me another son,
and I call him, Joseph. (Gen 30: 22-24). Please feel free to share this
testimony with as many as possible. God is still a Rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him (Heb11:6)
Stella Toyin Jonah essteejay@hotmail.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.