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Table Mountain one of the 7 natural wonders of the world and Sheila has the privilege of seeing it every morning when she opens the curtains. |
Our
home is filled with the sound of children’s laughter, singing, chattering and
yes, even crying and quarrelling. Three children
living with us for a year while their mommy does some essential further
studying—but let me not run ahead of myself, I need to go back—back 40 years.
I was
so blessed to be brought up in a secure, though very strict home. A happy childhood with a loving
earthly father who made it normal to see God as a loving Heavenly Father. A father who taught me perseverance even
when things got tough—he taught me through example. Sitting in church at the age of eight, being made to sing all the hymns and then listen to him preach after he had travelled
miles in bad weather to be the preacher but when he got there found that the
only people in Church were his family and the organist!
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Edwin and Sheila |
Then
the month came. I was late—ecstatic when
it was confirmed that I was pregnant I rushed to share the news.
In
hindsight I wonder if this is a good thing although if it is shared early and
something happens then those close to you can share the disappointment. The tears rolled down my cheeks as one day I
sat in the bathroom and before me was the evidence that there was not going to
be a baby.
I
empathise with all those who have had this experience. Your body is preparing itself for a
baby. Then it is gone and the body has
to return to normal. The loss is real
and there has to be a time of grieving.
Many
don’t understand this and even my husband couldn’t understand my tearfulness. He
understands now.
How
often I pleaded with the Lord to give us a child. I searched scripture hoping
to find some verse that would confirm that one day I would have a child. The months went by – nothing.
Why
were my friends and members of my family having babies. I didn’t enjoy baby showers but attended
them with a brave face although I ached inside.
At church people were tactlessly asking when we were going to start a
family. My precious sister-in-law was in
tears too as she heard that she was pregnant for the third time in three years—how
was she ever going to tell me?
Three
years passed when our prayers were answered—in a different way to what we
thought. God impressed upon us that He
was waiting to give us a child but there were different ways that children
could enter a home. We were now so
excited.
We
phoned the adoption agency for an appointment.
Exodus 2:”And
the child grew, and he was brought to Pharaoh’s daughter - and he became her
son”
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