Page 12 - The complete woman - WomenWithDifference

with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ,

might be for the praise of his glory."

There is much comfort in those words. They remind us that God has chosen us to
be his own in and through the work of Christ Jesus. They remind us that
everything is in conformity with God's purpose and will, even childlessness. A
couple's childlessness will somehow serve God's purpose and bring glory to the
Savior's name.

Coping requires that kind of comfort. How wonderful to know that our lives are
not off track. Within God's plan everything fits together perfectly.

So what should childless couples do:

Be happy while everyone else takes their children for picnics in the park?
Absolutely Yes! And may God grant such couples the patience to make their

smiles genuine and sincere. He can, and does, help them be happy for those
whom God has given children. And they can be happy, knowing that God also has
a plan for their lives as well. Satisfaction and contentment with one's station in
life pleases God.

But childless couples can also be actively pursuing other alternatives. They can
prayerfully consider their options, knowing that God will bless every effort they
undertake in his name.

One route is adoption. Adoption is just another way in which God can carry out
his plan for God fearing couples. Most couples who pursue it eventually take
home a child to love and nurture. But it isn't necessarily an easy road.

The heartache connected with being childless is not unique to our culture or age.

We can read about the agonizing struggles of childless couples in Scripture:
Abraham and Sarah, Jacob and Rachel, Elkanah and Hannah, and others. There is
an ageless stigma connected to being childless that couples who have been
blessed with children need to understand and be sensitive to. Childless couples
may feel uncomfortable being with married friends who have children.

Within God's Plan Everything Fits Together Perfectly