I want to tell you about a package I received in the mail tonight.

But first let me tell you about Kristen. I met her at the writers’ conference where the idea of writing my first book was planted firmly in my heart. “Let’s get together sometime,” we said. Although we had church in common, we attended different services and lived in different states, so we didn’t see each other often. One day, we met for coffee, and discussed the things we dreamed of creating. When talking about each of our long-awaited dreams of motherhood, she said, “I’m going to paint a picture of your baby in your womb.”

Tonight a package arrived on my kitchen table. (Thank you, Mike, for bringing it in out of the rain!) I saw the outside, and I said, “I bet it’s a painting from Kristen!”

First, I read the inscription on the back:

“As Jacob put holes in wood to make the sheep he shepherded see the vision of spots for their offspring to be made with spots, here is your vision.

“Thank you Jesus for what you’ve done and made possible of what seems impossible. It’s you’re loving sacrifice and promise of life abundantly in our lives, it’s your promise that will not return void, but fully fulfilled.

“You’ve delighted in your Heavenly Father and your heart’s desire will be fulfilled, keep standing on His promises.

“Fruitful, flourishing, blessed womb.”

These words of hope speak life to my womb that has yet remained empty. However, Mike and I keep standing here before God, saying, “Yes, we believe that You will bless this womb with life, even though it seems impossible.”

A couple of months ago I began writing a blog post that I have yet to finish. A concept from that post is that like the picture on the cover of my book, where I stand in a posture of surrender to God, my life (and my husband’s) aims to stay in a posture of submission to the God of miracles and the God of hope.

However, sometimes I’m so darn tired of standing there waiting, surrendering, hoping. Sometimes I feel like putting my arms down and walking away.

That’s where others have stepped in, supported me, and lifted my arms toward God.

This painting, a gift from Kristen, is one of those many moments where my arms are being lifted up in hope, and faith, and surrender.

I know that this gift took time, and prayer, and another person not only painting on my behalf, but standing before God on my behalf, believing for our future children.

Although I would not have chosen this long, drawn-out, multi-year wait for a baby (we’re still waiting), one blessing that has come of our wait and of the sharing of our story is this: other people can get in on the blessing. They can watch for the miracles. Others can take a step of faith, saying, “I believe that God can do it.” Friends, family, and strangers have an opportunity to seek God with us, and one day celebrate with us. May many grow in faith because of what the Lord is doing in Mike and me as we wait.

Thanks, Kristen, may you be likewise blessed. And to each person who has prayed, encouraged, and “lifted our arms” – thank you.

See that baby in that womb in the painting below? We believe that one day we’ll see by ultrasound and with our eyes what we see by faith now.

(And I’ve finally figured out why my tummy is a little pudgy – because of the grapes and trees and flowers in there!) 😉

painting by Kristen Lasher