Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Partnership & Prayer

There are exciting things on the horizon.  I am so excited about the little seed of an idea than God is watering and allowing to sprout.

The Lord has been working and shaping the idea of an infertility ministry at CFC (our church) in the hearts of several women.  There is one event (among many) that stands out in my mind that prompted me to pursue getting a ministry in place.  A few months ago, I walked  up to church and was so overwelmed by the brigade of mommies and babies everywhere.  Our close friends were all mingled in that bunch and I remember struggling to find things to say to them.  And I was extremely aware of how much I did not fit in that day.  My sensitivity to this type of situation might be higher or lower depending on the time of month.  :)   I remember fighting back the wall of tears and seeing a dear friend in the distance.  A woman who understood what it was like to walk up to church Sunday after Sunday to all the other mommies empty handed.  A woman who understood what it felt like to not measure up to what God calls us to as women.  A woman who understood what it feels like to be isolated.  I remember seeing her and having an immediate peace, just knowing that there was another person who was understanding my pain without sharing a word.  We exchanged a good hug and it encouraged me so much.  

So I thought...we don't have to do this alone! I know there are several other women who have been down this road or who are walking down it now...why don't we connect instead of carrying the burden all by ourselves.  Even just to know who the other women ARE is encouraging in itself.  I was connected to a sweet friend, Tiffany, who has felt the Lord calling her to share her journey with other women and to walk along side them as well.  One coffee date led to another, and next week Tiffany and I will be hosting a brainstorming/idea sharing dessert with other women who have walked this road or are currently walking it now.   The Lord has given us both lots of ideas, but we wanted to see what the needs are/were for other women in our boat as well.  We are both so excited.  I know there is a good handful of women excited about partnering with us in this ministry too.  It has been really neat to see God work in different hearts and bring them together to glorify Him in the midst of very unique pain.

I don't feel prepared or equipped to be a part of this.  I am young. I am still going through the waters of infertility.  I don't have much experience. But I am praying and trusting God to fill in the blanks if I am obedient in saying, "Here I am, Lord!"  I was encouraged by Isaiah and his obedient response to God's calling.  

Isaiah 6: 8-13
 8And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." 9And he said, "Go, and say to this people:

   
 "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand;keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' 10 Make the heart of this people dull,
   and their ears heavy,
   and blind their eyes,
lest they see with their eyes,
   and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts,
   and turn and be healed."
11Then I said, "How long, O Lord?"And he said:"Until cities lie waste
   without inhabitant,
and houses without people,
   and the land is a desolate waste,
12and the LORD removes people far away,
   and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.
13 And though a tenth remain in it,
   it will be burned
 again,
like a terebinth or an oak,
   whose stump
 remains
   when it is felled."
The holy seed is its stump.

God said, "Who will go?" and Isaiah didn't ask any questions or get any more information before responding, "Here I am."  He got more details regarding what God wanted him to do after he chose to be obedient.  He didn't get the details and then decide whether or not he would present himself to be used.  This encouraged me to just say, "Here I am!"  without knowing what the heck I am signing up for... As I said to our good friend, Jeff Curry, "Here I am and here goes nothing..."

As for Brad and I, we are still shooting for January.  I have been enjoying where God has us and enjoying this time with Brad.  I actually need to start thinking about things and get a few things in order for that adventure.   Just been too busy enjoying not thinking about "it," ha.  

3 comments:

The Whites said...

Sharlie, I am so proud of the women you are! Know that you are always in my prayers and thoughts. Love you sister!

Carly said...

Love this idea Sharlie! You are such a gift & your ability to open will be so inviting for others :) love you!

Sharlieharby said...

Thanks friends. I appreciate the encouragement. Love you all and hope everyone is doing great!! Thank you for keeping up with us.