Elizabeth and Zechariah

This is taped to the mirror of my dresser in my bedroom.  If you look on the upper right hand corner you will see the date that I printed it was 4/3/12.  I have looked at it for over a year now to remind me of where my hope comes from.

While I did not include them in my "Ode to Infertile Couples", Elizabeth and Zechariah are my favorite.

Luke 1:6-7
"Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly.  But they had no children.."

I have long since determined that our infertility is not a punishment from God, and this couple helped me to see that truth.

I wonder if Luke's account of the Gospel included this to verify that it wasn't because this couple was doing something wrong.  Because I am pretty sure that Elizabeth got all sorts of advice from onlooking, well-meaning friends and family.

Elizabeth says in Luke 1:25

"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." 

That was when she was pregnant with John the Baptist.

For me, right now, I feel I am in the thick of ' my disgrace among the people' and these days, I do not see God's favor so much.


But along side my heartbreak comes many praises.  Right now as I type this blog, Butters is looking adorable as she snaps at a fly teasing her.  My loving husband is on his way home for dinner, and the season finale of 'The Office' is coming on. And exciting things coming up that I am looking forward to.  I praise God and thank Him that we have many travel plans this summer!  At the end of this month, Zach and I are going to Cancun to relax on the beach and celebrate my cousin's wedding with family!  I can't wait to see them!  Thank you, LORD that Atticus is coming to visit at the end of June and we get to go to Seattle in July!

In August, we will venture to India on a trip that I feel will be life changing for Zach and I.  I don't know what God has in store, but He has it all planned out.

I saw a video the other day of Christians in China, who were receiving their own personal Bibles for the first time.  How excited they were!  I take for granted sometimes that because of stories like Job, Elizabeth and Zechariah, Hannah, Sarah and Abraham I have the privilege of reading about and knowing that there is nothing new going on here.  God has it all under His control, He is using it, and I can rest in that fact.