MY HUSBAND AND I realized
in our mid-life marriage that the chance of having a child was
decreased due to my age. This was further complicated by a
progressively painful condition called endometrosis that often results
in infertility. My gynecologist informed us it was not utterly
impossible but extremely improbable I would ever carry a child.
In time we adopted a newborn. The circumstances
surrounding our son's adoption were divinely orchestrated. We
named him John because the name means "God's gift."
We felt blessed. Now our family was complete, or so we thought.
I came to realize that God has His own timetable
for our lives when fifteen months after John's adoption I became
pregnant at forty-eight.
We discovered with God all things are possible. I
immediately identified with Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. The
Bible says Elizabeth was "well-advanced in years" when she
was told they would have a son (Luke 1:18). There has never been
another time when I felt closer to God and sensed His power as during
our son John's first year and during my only pregnancy with
Joshua.
Elizabeth was a devout woman. She knew her son was
appointed to do a great work. I also pray for wisdom as we raise John
and Joshua. All parents wonder what their children will be like as they
mature. Much of what they will become depends on how we teach them and
whether we inspire by good example. Most character traits are acquired
through contact with parents--what a weighty responsibility. In
December Joshua celebrated his eleventh birthday and John will be
thirteen. Our sons are receiving a Christ-centered world view and know
their lives have a purpose.
I'm meeting the challenges, frustrations and
triumphs of mothering while seeing them through the wonder of
childhood. I find support and direction through reading God's
Word and other publications, through my husband, Christian broadcasting
and a mother's support group. When some days are rough and I feel
the demands of child rearing, I want to remember when God answered the
desires of our hearts in His own way. Becoming a mother at midlife has
been a rewarding experience and my faith in God has deepened as a
result.
In her book "Women of The Bible"
Frances Velde in a character sketch of Elizabeth says, "The names
of many prominent women glitter in history, but none with more radiant
luster than that of believing Elizabeth. She attained the noblest
virtues possible to women. How wonderful to know that every Christian
woman can possess these same virtues by the grace of God."
Elizabeth of old has been a spiritual inspiration for me.
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Published in Virtue magazine, April 2000
This article copyright P J Davis 2010 and may not
be reproduced in any form without her express permission.
