Frankly, the miracle took us both by surprise. It shouldn’t have, since we had both walked with the Lord for nearly 13 years. We knew His compassion and capabilities. But we had prepared our hearts for the worse-case scenario, a protective mode of course. After all, our desires don’t always fit into God’s sovereign plan.

Bill and I had married in our thirties, so my biological clock was not just ticking; it was clanging in my ears! Our first pregnancy ended as an ectopic. After studying the test results, doctors advised us to place our names on adoption lists as soon as possible. One fallopian tube was gone, and there appeared to be an overall motility problem. The odds were against us. While we believe adoption is a God-ordained, amazing, selfless adventure, my heart was broken. You see, as the youngest of four, I had watched my three older sisters experience pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. I adored my nieces and nephews. My longing to share in those experiences had grown with each passing year. The ache I felt was intense.

Bill and I went to our church family for prayer, and they faithfully responded. Within a year, we discovered that we had a perfect uterine implantation. Our physician was quite surprised. All manner of celebration followed.

We named this little miracle Alison Faith in honor of the faith-filled prayers of our Connecticut church family, for which (and whom) we will always be grateful.

Three years later, we suffered another pregnancy loss. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Oh, that clock! We, once again, asked our closest church friends, this time in St. Louis, to pray.

Amazingly, within a year, He blessed us with another pregnancy. Due to many complications, it was a very painful pregnancy. Prayer lifted us through to delivery. We named this new miracle Melissa Grace in honor of the grace He poured out to us to carry us through the difficulty.

The crazy thing is, 32 and nearly 28 years later, I’m not over it. Over what? The miracle! When the girls were little, I know a day didn’t pass without my saying to myself, “I can’t believe I’m a mom! Thank you, Lord!” I never lost the awe, even on the difficult days. I know that’s because our daughters did not come to us easily. We know that the trial of loss built into us a genuine thankfulness for what some take for granted. But even now, I find myself thinking, “Oh my goodness! I am a mom! Thank you, Lord!” I still reflect daily on that incredible blessing.

So, my point? Well, I have two:

Point one is: the miraculous gift of life. Not everyone can see the hand of God as clearly as we in their pregnancies; nevertheless, every single preborn human being is the handiwork of God. Every single unborn baby is being woven in the womb by Him for a purpose. People make mistakes. God makes none. He takes every situation and works perfection in and through it, often for reasons way above our understanding. So, when the choice is made to end the life of an unborn child, Creator God is mocked and disgusted. That never ends well for the nation that allows it. The mother involved can receive full restoration through repentance and submission to Jesus Christ, our loving, merciful Savior. He is amazing that way.

Point two is: a new focus on Mother’s Day. I recently read an article about Mother’s Day expectations. Setting expectations for a perfect day or thinking of the day in terms of being honored for years of hard work and self-sacrifice can lead to major disappointment. Oh, so true! Any time the focus is on self, the outcome is uncertain because it is based on emotion, not truth.

Instead of thinking of Mother’s Day as a day to be Queen for a Day and the center of attention, use the day to truly worship and thank the One who formed your children in your womb. If you are an adoptive mother, you have much to thank Him for as well. They are His, so it’s His day.

This holds true for those of you without children. Any time we change focus from self to our Heavenly Father, there’s very little chance of disappointment due to unmet expectations. Make a list of answered prayers over the years, all the ways He has made Himself known to you, and then focus on His reality in your life on Mother’s Day. You can’t go wrong with that!

Happy Lord’s Day!

Joy in Jesus,

Jacquee