Thursday, December 14, 2023

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  James 1: 6

Illustrated by Elizabeth Gentry, age 9

The year was 1976, and Tony and I had just adopted our daughter, Heather.  Several years of infertility evaluations had left us with little hope of ever conceiving a child, so we pursued adoption and were blessed with our baby girl.  That fall our church offered a Bible study on the Book of James.  During the first discussions on prayer, I heard the words “let him ask in faith, with no doubting.”  Those words convicted me, for I realized that our prayers for children had been conditioned by an underlying doubt that it was even possible, instead of hope, born of faith.  Our job was to trust God.

Months passed, one day blending into another as they often do when caring for a newborn.  I was exhausted.  I distinctly remember the telephone ringing.  (You know, the old-fashioned one connected by a cord to the wall with a crescent-shaped receiver attached.). Heather was on the changing table.  I was spread-eagled, one arm on the baby, one grasping the receiver, and Tony, who was an OB/GYN, said, “Are you sitting down?” I think I answered something to this effect, “Not really.  Could you call back at nap time?”  More emphatically he coaxed, “Please, just sit down.”   Reluctantly I grabbed the naked baby, sat in the rocker, and listened as he said, “We’re pregnant.”  I felt assaulted by so many emotions, all I could do was cry, mostly tears of joy and gratitude.   Our son Alex arrived premature, but healthy, Easter Sunday morning.

Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation.  It is a time to ponder hope, peace, joy, and love in our lives and the lives of others.  It is a time to share our stories.  Not all prayer is answered in the way we anticipate or think it should.  Tony and I did not have more children, just two, a gift and a miracle; but that left lots of room for many others over the years in our home, at work, and in our church communities.  We moved to Charlotte to be close to our son and four grandchildren, and we have found a church home at SMPC.  Just recently, at our choir retreat, I was reminded how God’s plan has worked so actively in our lives:

“We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

Dear Heavenly Father, please make us mindful of all our blessings and thankful for the gift of grace in our lives.  Please help us wait patiently for the birth of your son.  As we pray for hope, peace, joy, and love this Advent season, may we do so with unconditional faith, without fear or wobble, that Thy Will be done.  In the name of Christ we pray. Amen  

Helen Castle

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