The Faithful Journey of Sarah
Disclaimer: I was so excited to write this blog on Sarah because, in many ways, my life has mirrored her's. Writing this has been such a blessing, but it was so hard. Putting so much of my own story into a blog feels kind of weird and self-serving. I pray that God will use my story to encourage someone who has dealt with infertility.
As a stay-at-home mom raising and homeschooling two children, my life is filled with moments of both triumph and challenge. I pour my heart into raising our kiddos, building our wanna-be homestead, and then trying to find time to shave. Sometimes, it feels like the tasks are never-ending, and the future seems uncertain. There have been times in my life when I was so unsure of the future that I tried my best to force my dreams to happen and stopped relying on God. At one point (a very large amount of my twenties and thirties), I spent sad-mad. A funny phrase that 100% described my life for quite a while. No matter how hard I tried, and how many medications I took and diets I followed, I could not get pregnant. As the years went by, I began to feel like I would never have children. My thirties, and then mid-thirties, came around, and still no children. I spent a lot of my time either wanting to cry, run, hide, or whack someone over the head when they would ask when I was going to have kids, some even adding, "tick, tock" and pointing to their watch. No, wanting to whack people over the head is not a Christian thing to do, but I am human and have repented of those anger issues. Anger wasn't the only emotion that had me in a stronghold. Jealousy crept in when my friends had babies. I would feel sad if I went to visit them, but also sad if they left me out because they didn't want to cause me any more pain. In short, I felt hopeless.
I am sure that there have been times in your life when you have felt a sense of hopelessness and uncertainty about what the future brings, just like I did. However, if we look at the story of Sarah in the Bible, we can find inspiration, faith, and hope for the journey, so let's start there.
A Brief Review of Sarah’s Story
Sarah, whose original name was Sarai, is introduced in the book of Genesis as the wife of Abraham. She is known for her beauty, grace, and strength, but most importantly, for her incredible journey of faith.
When God made a covenant with Abraham, He promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations. This was a huge promise, considering that Abraham and Sarah had no children, and Sarah was already advanced in age. Despite being childless for so long, Sarah received this promise with both hope and doubt. At first, she struggled with the idea of having a child, even laughing when she heard that she would conceive at an old age (Genesis 18:12-15). But God’s plan was bigger than she could imagine.
In Genesis 21, Sarah gave birth to Isaac, the child of promise. Her long-awaited son was born when Sarah was 90 years old. This miraculous birth was a direct fulfillment of God’s promise, showing that nothing is too impossible for God. Sarah’s story doesn’t just highlight her faith but also the faithfulness of God.
The Rest of My Story
When I look back on those years of disappointment, I know now that I wasted too much time being worried and even angry with God over not having children. I didn't trust God and instead let the anger and resentment fester for years. God has a bigger and better view of my future than I do, but I still did not trust Him. However, after 14 years of not having children, I gave control over to God. As if He didn't have control anyway, silly me. We adopted a beautiful boy when he was one and a half years old (and I was 36 years old), and then a just a few years later, we adopted his biological sister. They were made by God for our family, no doubt. I love them with everything that I have, and I am so thankful to God for not allowing me to have children earlier in life. I keep thinking that financially, I wouldn't have been able to adopt them if I already had children, and I can't imagine a life without them. At the time of this writing, they are 5 and 8 years old, and I am a youthful 43 years young. I am so blessed to homeschool them, and I have been homeschooling for a little over two years.
Lessons from Sarah’s Story for Us Moms
1. Trusting God’s Timing
Sarah waited many years for the promise of a child, and there were times when she doubted God’s ability to fulfill it. But when she held Isaac in her arms, she realized that God’s timing was perfect. As mothers, we can learn that even in our busiest days, God’s timing is never off. Whether it's in our children’s education, our personal growth, or the plans we’ve laid out for our family, God’s timing is always right, even when it seems delayed. Trusting His timing can bring peace and reduce anxiety in our day-to-day lives.
Application: Looking back over the years, it is easy to see that if I had just trusted in God, I would have had a much closer relationship with Him and most likely more meaningful relationships with those that I love and care about. Even though that was a big lesson learned, I have not "arrived". Now, as a homeschooling mom, it can be easy to feel like I am falling behind or not doing enough. But God is in control of our children’s education and development. Keeping the faith during the journey and knowing that even on tough days, He is at work in our homes is key. Whether the trial is huge or not, God is with us through it all.
2. God Can Work Through Imperfection
Sarah wasn’t perfect. At times, she doubted God’s promise, and at other moments, she took matters into her own hands—like in Genesis 16, when she encouraged Abraham to have a child with her maidservant, Hagar. (Thank goodness I didn't go that route...) While her decision led to complications, God still worked through it and eventually fulfilled His promise in a way that only He could. This reminds us that God doesn’t require perfection from us. He understands our weaknesses, and even when we make mistakes, He can still bring His plans to fruition.
Application: Thank God that He brought His plans for my family to fruition, even with all the doubting, whining, kicking, and screaming that I did. And as stay-at-home moms, we may feel like we’re failing or making mistakes every day. Whether we get frustrated with our kids or fall short in our personal goals, remember that God can still use our imperfections. You don’t have to be perfect to be a wonderful mom or a faithful follower of Christ. Embrace the grace God offers.
3. Patience and Perseverance in Faith
Sarah's story teaches us the importance of patience. For years, she waited for the promise of a child, and despite her doubts, she remained faithful to God’s plan. The journey wasn’t easy, and the waiting period was long, but Sarah’s perseverance ultimately led to the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Application: God made my kiddos for my husband and me, and us for them. Even though God did not allow me to have children with my body, He had another idea in mind for us, and it was better than I could have ever imagined. This long wait for two wonderful blessings has taught me so much about patience and perseverance.
On the other hand, homeschooling and stay-at-home motherhood often require a great deal of patience and perseverance. Am I correct? There are days when the house feels chaotic, the lessons don’t seem to stick, or I wonder if I'm making any difference at all.
Yet, in any situation, just like Sarah, we are called to trust God’s promise that He is using us and shaping us in ways we cannot always see. Don’t give up. The hard work will bear fruit in due time, even if it is not in the ways we hope for.
4. Celebrating the Blessings God Brings
After Sarah gave birth to Isaac, she laughed in joy, saying, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6). She had waited so long for this child, and when the moment came, it was a moment of pure joy and celebration. Sarah’s joy reminds us that God is the giver of all good things, and when He blesses us, we should celebrate those blessings with gratitude.
Application: As mothers, it’s easy to focus on what’s not going well—what didn’t get done today, what lessons were missed, or the endless laundry piles. But we are also called to celebrate the moments of joy—whether it’s bringing your child home from the adoption hearing with your last name, your child’s first words, a breakthrough in learning, or simply a quiet moment of peace. These big and small blessings are evidence of God’s grace in your life, and it’s important to celebrate all of them.
5. Faith Over Fear
Throughout her life, Sarah faced moments of fear. One of the most notable moments was when she and Abraham journeyed to Egypt, and she feared for her life, lying about her relationship with Abraham (Genesis 12:10-20). Even in moments of fear and doubt, God protected her and remained faithful to His promises. Eventually, Sarah learned to trust God completely, even in the most uncertain circumstances.
Application: As stay-at-home moms, it’s easy to let fear take over—whether it’s fear of not being enough for your kids, fear of failing, or fear for your family’s future. How many times have I switched up curricula just because I was worried that it wasn't a good fit to find that the grass isn't always greener on the other side? Sarah’s story teaches us to turn to God with our fears, knowing that He is bigger than our anxieties and that He will guide us through every situation.
Final Thoughts
The story of Sarah is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness, patience, and perfect timing. As homeschooling and/or stay-at-home moms, we can take comfort in knowing that God is at work in our lives, even when we don’t see it. We should trust Him with our journeys, celebrate His blessings, and know that our efforts are never in vain. Just like Sarah, we can grow in faith and embrace the unique calling of motherhood with joy and perseverance.
As you reflect on Sarah’s story, let it inspire you to keep trusting in God’s promises for your family and your future, knowing that His plans for you are in His hands. I don't like telling you that God will eventually give you what you want or that He has a great plan for your life. The reality is that parts of our lives will be hard here on this earth, and we may not get what we ask for, and even if we do everything to the best of our ability, our children may choose the wrong path. Just remember that God still loves us, and even if we suffer here on earth, we will have eternity with Him to enjoy.
Reflection Questions for Sarah’s Story: Trusting God in His Timing
1. Waiting on God’s Timing: Sarah waited many years for a child, and yet God fulfilled His promise at the perfect time. Are there areas in your life where you feel like you’re waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled? How can you trust His timing, even when it feels delayed?
2. Overcoming Doubt: Sarah laughed when she heard God’s promise because she doubted it could come true. How do you handle moments of doubt or disbelief when faced with God’s promises? How can you bring your doubts to Him in prayer?
3. Trusting God’s Faithfulness: Despite her doubts, Sarah’s story is one of God’s faithfulness. How can you look back on your own life and see moments where God has been faithful? How does reflecting on those times help you trust Him in the present?
4. Surrendering Control to God: Sarah initially tried to take matters into her own hands by giving Hagar to Abraham. In what areas of your life do you struggle with trying to control outcomes? How can you surrender those situations to God, trusting His plan?
5. Embracing God’s Promise: Sarah eventually received the child she had longed for, but she had to wait many years. What promises from God are you holding on to today? How can you strengthen your faith as you wait for His promises to be fulfilled in your life?
