Motherhood when it's Hard to Trust

Contentment & Trust

"How did you know you were ready for a baby?" I take a sip of coffee as my friend, and I catch up. "Well, I guess we've been married for three years, have a decent place, and are done with school." We chat while I rub my pregnant belly, and we talk through my fears of morning sickness and maternity leave. 

Would I be able to teach while nourishing my growing baby? Could I teach eight hours a day and still have the energy to connect with my spouse? Pregnancy was just the beginning; what would it be like to care for a baby 24/7? 

Although I was nervous, I eagerly anticipated the arrival of my son. My husband and I had been praying for a healthy baby, but would our prayers be answered? Even if there were unanswered prayers, could we be content?

Faith in God's Plan

How can we have faith in God's plans when we're fearful? Maybe you've wrestled with some of these questions, like me. The seasons of motherhood shift like the tides. Right when I think I have something figured out, the baby grows! But how can we choose contentment in changing seasons? How can we continue to pray after months and years of unfulfilled longings? Luke 1 highlights the story of a righteous couple who continued to serve God despite unfulfilled desires. 

Luke 1:6 tells us that Zechariah and Elizabeth were "Righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commands and decrees blamelessly" (NIV). But they were also elderly and barren. 

Motherhood was important to society, and Elizabeth alludes to being disgraced. Imagine how hurt she felt. Maybe she felt shameful or sad. Perhaps others teased her or left her out. What was it like going to the temple while other children ran around? What was it like to pray for years without an answer? But the Lord heard her prayer and allowed her to conceive despite her age. 

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:13 ESV). 

One day, an angel appeared when Zechariah was doing his priestly work. Although he had been praying for a child, he was startled and afraid. Gabriel came with good news. God answered their prayers.

The angel tells him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John" (Luke 1:13). Gabriel goes on to say that John will be a joy and delight and he'll be great in the sight of the Lord. But Zechariah is doubtful, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years." Zechariah focused on his knowledge instead of God's promises. Because of Zechariah's unbelief, he was mute and couldn't speak. 

But Elizabeth responded differently, "The Lord has done this for me, she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people" (Luke 1:25). Elizabeth believed in faith, trusting God's promises despite the circumstances. 

She's an excellent example of Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Elizabeth had confidence in God's character instead of herself. She trusted in the Lord's timing instead of her own. 

Trust in God's Plan

We may never be 100% ready for the next season, but we should always be ready to trust the Lord's call. The Lord knows us from the very beginning and has a plan for our life, "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well" (Psalm 139:13 ESV). 

We can trust and praise the Lord because His works are wonderful. The Lord has good plans for us that He will accomplish. Although we only see a reflection through a mirror dimly, one day, "we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).

This is part 1 of a 3 part series. Subscribe to receive each post!