I frequently receive emails from people wanting to know if there’s a PregnantWithHope support group in their area. If there’s not, I always encourage them to consider starting one. That’s how it works: someone musters enough courage and determination to risk outing themself as infertile, and then they find support by asking, “Is anyone else struggling?”
It’s easy to say…, but I know it can feel like too much to tackle if you’re already completely overwhelmed (and emotionally undone) by the infertility journey.
So, here’s an alternative.
Kelli emailed me about finding PregnantWithHope.com, and then creating her support group of one. “I found your site when I was at rock bottom with infertility. At that point, all I needed was some hope and your site brought that. I worked through your book this summer with another girlfriend that is struggling and we both found so much comfort from it. I truly felt God working in my life and helping me with my pain.”
Just one other person was all it took to create a sense of supportive community. Here’s why:
“Where two or more have gathered in my name, I am there in their midst” [Matthew 18:20].
When we honor God by seeking Him – His help, His peace, His strength, His wisdom – He responds. The Bible promises, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” God kept this promise to Kelli and her friend in their tiny little support group.
As they worked through Pregnant With Hope, they were able to see their journey from a different perspective – one that immersed them in messages of hope and peace. The book reminded them of the promises of a faithful God – promises specifically relevant to the infertility journey. It guided their conversations by giving them questions to discuss. And, it enabled them to “hear” and be encouraged by the stories of other couples who made the same journey and then become parents.
Now pregnant with twins, Kelli says, “I know God answers prayers and He showed me that again.”
If you live in an area that doesn’t have a PregnantWithHope support group, don’t give up. Instead, find one person to share your struggle with: your partner, another person going through infertility, a compassionate friend, a loving family member, a Stephen Minister (from your church or someone else’s)…. Simply by sharing your story and inviting God to enter more fully into it, you will begin to find the help and hope you need.
Then one day, like Kelli, you’ll be emailing me to say, “Susan, I’ve got great news to share!”
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For more inspiration, resources and cause for hope, click this link
Pregnant with Hope 