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When original sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, God told Eve: "I will intensify the pangs of your childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children." (Gen 3:16) But He wasn't only talking about the (very real) physical pain associated with birthing children. This pain that entered the world for women when sin fractured our relationship with God meant that there would be pain in every aspect of our body's design for bearing life. The suffering that usually accompanies pregnancy, even a normal and healthy one, the suffering and sacrifice that comes with motherhood and raising children, the pain of reproductive issues that so many women have. And during infertility awareness week, we especially think of the pain associated with infertility and pregnancy loss.
Praise God that the story doesn't end there. God has a plan. He had a plan from the very beginning. He sent His Son to enter into our humanity, suffer His agonizing Passion, and redeem our relationship with God through His Death and Resurrection. Unfortunately, that doesn't take away the pain on this side of heaven. But it does give it purpose. And it means that we're not alone in our brokenness. Our suffering is very real; but it's not for nothing. We have a God who is in the business of bringing life where there is none, of making broken things beautiful and of using our suffering to draw us closer to Himself.
I'll leave you with this sacred reminder from Adrielle Booker's book Grace like Scarlett: "Suffering does not choose the weak or the strong, the faithful or the faithless. It chooses the human... Things are not as they should be, but they will be. Jesus is making all things new. Heaven is at hand and heaven is still coming."
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If you are interested in more healing work and are local to the mid-Michigan area, this is a great healing opportunity coming up:
https://stmarypinckney.org/healing-the-whole-person/
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