Do you ever think that everything is under control? Or that you might have the best well-laid out plans? My wife and I did. Having kids of our own and raising a family seemed to be the perfect plan. After all, we planned it and it was in our control, or so we thought. But God has something else in mind. His plans don’t always make sense at the time. What seemed to be a tragedy, God used it for His glory and proved that all things to work together for good.
In April 2000 my wife and I were expecting twins. After years of infertility and countless treatments, we finally became pregnant! We were elated to find out it was a boy and girl. What could possibly go wrong?
My wife had been extremely ill during the pregnancy and became dehydrated. Tragically, at twenty weeks and three days, she went into preterm labor. We tried desperately to stop the contractions but after several hours were unsuccessful; she delivered both babies. They were so tiny and perfect but because of their fragile lungs; they survived only a few minutes. We held them close to us as they slipped away into God’s presence.
A couple of years later and a few more unsuccessful attempts trying to achieve pregnancy, God laid it on our hearts to foster children. So, over the course of the next several years, we fostered three children and adopted two. These two children, now 6 and 3, have become such a part of our family that we wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s ironic how the tragic events of that day led to what we have now. I would have never wanted that day to happen but I wouldn’t change what I have now either. God really does work everything for good.
Last year, after twelve years of marriage and two adopted children, we unexpectedly became pregnant. Our fear was that it would happen all over again. But this time, we made it! We were blessed with a beautiful boy!
We are so fortunate to have been given the gift of adopting two children and the experiencing the wonderful blessing of our own son being born. It has given us a completely different perspective on raising our children. I look forward to experiencing more of what God has in store. His ways are not ours.