There she is. The picture above is from my daughter’s first dance recital. It represents the ending of her introduction to dancing and, hopefully, the beginning of her interest in it. It also represents something deeply personal for me. It connects me to the dreams I had before becoming a mother.
As the recital was going on, I frequently looked around the room and noticed how proud the dads were of their little princesses. I especially noticed the expressions of admiration and complete love the moms had while watching their little loves. Watching their granddaughter dance brought back memories for my parents as well of when I was a young one twirling around on the stage. Regardless of what may have occurred during the day, watching innocence on a stage brought us all back to what is truly important in life – children.
Children matter.
My eyes teared up while watching my sweet one dance around the stage. I once dreamed of moments like this. Growing up and into adulthood with the thought that I would never be a mother made me wonder about all of the precious little memories I would miss out on. Things like watching a child walk for the first time, hearing the word “mama”, seeing excitement on Christmas morning, putting artwork on the refrigerator, passing on traditions, and watching recitals or various other activities. My thoughts and longings were more than about not being able to have a baby. I grieved over the possibility of not being able to explore talents, interests, and just life in general with a child.
I fretted over what my life would be like without children. I wanted so much to pass on the good things I have learned in life and to steer a child away from the things that have caused me pain. I believe that raising up children assures us that perhaps a little bit of us will linger on throughout life even when we have passed on. If I never was able to do this, then there would not be any reminders of who I am after this life is over. This is one thing about infertility that I am not sure a lot of people understand. The simple act of watching a dance recital brought back the flood of emotions regarding my previous childless life.
Infertility is so complex and rears its ugly head from time to time when least expected. But, in some respect, I am thankful that it catches me off guard. I do not know if I would be able to run on the mountain tops with the full knowledge of how truly gifted I am to be a mother if I did not have the experience of being barren and walking through the valleys of infertility.
Thank You, Lord, for gifting me with the responsibility, hope, and simple joys of children. Hold me accountable Father to Your will for my children. Remind me, oh Lord, of my previous sorrow so that I will never take for granted the delight I now have. Thank You, Lord, for walking me through the valley of infertility. I praise You for running me along this mountain top of parenthood and for fulfilling my dreams.
PSALMS 127:3-5
3 Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
JAMES 1:17
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
MARK 10:14
14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”
BARREN TO BLESSED 
greenlightlady
I remember overhearing some nurses talking about me behind my back. One said, ” She sure is on a high.” I said to myself – but really to them, ” Well ya! I waited for over twelve years for this!”
This happened a few hours after our first son was born.
I can so relate to this post! The affects of infertility never completely leave. They leave us grateful for what others may take for granted… Even now there are tears in my eyes.
~ Wendy
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barrentoblessed
Very true – thanks for sharing!
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Wayne Augden
Our Heavenly Father, I come to You, Almighty God, in praise and adoration for who You are. You are worthy of all worship, honor, and praise. Lord, God, I come to You in thankfulness for this mother, and the child she is so thankful for. Heavenly Father, You who have nothing to prove, so often show us who You are, and how much You love us over and over again. Heavenly Father, I pray that You bless this mother and her family. I pray You shower her, her child, and all her loved ones with Your great and eternal love; may you bless them with Your peace and wellness. Father, I pray You place a hedge of protection around them, and that You will work mightily in them, so that they will be strong, true, courageous, and have unbelievable strength of character and integrity, and that they be a daily remembrance of how You see them. Forgive them where they fail, You, O’ Lord, and when they do I pray that You will give them wings to fly as an Eagle flies high and free upon the air of Your vast and eternal love. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.
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barrentoblessed
thank you so much for this
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heartlandroad
She is so sweet!
I love how fascinated children are by everything. I have just come back from a holiday where we have walked through forests and on beaches and been able to show our little one so many new things – pinecones, different flowers, the colours of the sea, different kinds of sheep – and she just lights up like a little beam of concentration, trying to suck in every detail. It’s wonderful.
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barrentoblessed
So true!
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