A new devotional for people facing infertility was recently released in Australia. Praying Through Infertility is an up-close-and-personal look at the rollercoaster of infertility and childlessness, and it offers encouragement, comfort, scripture and prayer for those who are struggling.
On a more personal note, I want to share why contributing to this book has meant so much to me.
It feels good to help others. One thing our childlessness stories often have in common is how alone we feel. We go to medical appointments alone, do research alone, make decisions alone (or with our partner). We can feel like we’re the only ones in the world going through this. Worse still, we can feel like there’s no real space in society for us to talk about the children we wanted but never had.
So it is an utter thrill to share my story in the hope it will connect with others, help them feel what they are feeling and assist them in expressing their grief. I also hope that in sharing my story, others may find a way of healing their relationship with God and find a glimmer of hope again.
It feels good to help others. I love collaboration. I know we’re in a society that prizes independence, but so help me, I love working with others on a creative project like this. We can share different words and stories that will resonate with different readers. That’s a distinct advantage of involving many writers (thirty-seven) in a devotional like this.
I’m the first to say I love writing and publishing my own books. But there’s a different level of satisfaction in being part of a team effort. Feeling the shared excitement, getting to meet new and wonderfully brave writers—some of whom are sharing their stories for the first time, helping each other get the book out to the world, is a whole new level of rewarding. It keeps you humble too!
I love working with others on a creative project.It was timely for me. The invitation to participate in this project came at a particularly precarious time in my own life. I was off work and facing significant health challenges with no light at the end of the tunnel. I was feeling helpless, worthless and alone. Also I was crying an awful lot.
One day I had a moan to God. ‘What am I going to do if I can’t return to work? What if this is it? What am I going to do with the rest of my life?’ I knew, deep down, God would look after me. But in that moment, I couldn’t see a way forward. I was scared witless about the future.
The very next day, I received an email from Sheridan Voysey, asking me to write something for this worthy project. I’m pretty sure I promptly burst into tears again. God heard. God knew. Sometimes I think God is way too nice to me.
God heard. God knew. It was with relish that I accepted the invitation to be part of the Praying Through Infertility family.
If you’re feeling less-than-sparkly today, I want to reassure you that God knows. God hears. He likes you a whole bunch, and he’s with you, even if it doesn’t feel that way. You are not alone.
Which is precisely the key message of Praying Through Infertility.
Are you, or is someone you know, struggling with infertility? Do you have people you can turn to for support: a friend, a loved one, God? Share your story. Let’s have a countercultural conversation.
To buy Praying Through Infertility from Sheridan Voysey’s site (collator), click here: https://sheridanvoysey.com/prayingthroughinfertility/
To buy Praying Through Infertility from Koorong, click here: https://koorong.com/product/praying-through-infertility-a-90-day-devotional-for_9781400334513