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Infertility Prayer

Posted on July 29, 2013July 29, 2013 by lisha epperson

The Lord gave me a vision to begin a series on infertility prayer. Following through in obedience to this idea is challenging and worthy of contemplation. Although I’ve experienced this walk, I’ve never walked it in your shoes. As Pastor Levi Lusko says “pain is personal”. I listened to him preach online at the Skull Church with LiChai recently. I went on to learn of the loss of his 5-year-old daughter. He shared the reality of his families loss and discussed in a raw and transparent post “how it is impossible to feel anything except for what we are going through.” His words shot through my heart as I’ve tossed around the idea of birthing these prayers.

Infertility for you will be different – a unique set of experiences and expectations shaped by the now of your life. I honor your journey. My prayer is that you will be encouraged knowing you never walk alone in your struggle. The prayers are offered as a cry to heaven on your behalf….an offering brought before the throne in full acknowledgement that redemption comes from God alone.

But the women, His warriors pray. Know that women…all over the world…are praying for you.

I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born, says the Lord. Isaiah 66:9

For as long as the Lord leads, I will post an infertility prayer on Twitter and Facebook a few times a week. I am learning obedience. It’s both frightening and thrilling to take the first step. I was encouraged by a testimony of faith by Deidra Riggs this week. I’m so grateful to God for giving me this crystal clear response to a prayer.

In the attached clip she shares the experience of jumping out of a plane for the first time. It’s the launching pad for a powerful worldview. To live life – jumping tandem with God as your partner and friend. Hearing her talk about taking the seat belt off in life impressed upon me the importance of “going there” in the form of obedience. So often I hear the Lord whisper ideas and I immediately shut them down with negative thoughts. I stay seated when I should get up. I play it safe. I’m working on perfecting a mind shift, unstrapping that belt and leaning in hard to honor His voice with the actionable step of immediate compliance.

Click the links above to follow me as I have fun on social media serving and encouraging my fellow maidens. Consider ways in which you can take the “seat belt” off in your life. I’d love to engage in conversation about this so be free with your comments and lets pray each others boldness in Christ. Are you ready? I’m ready…let’s jump.

Five Minute Friday : for the Broken in Battle

Posted on July 27, 2013July 28, 2013 by lisha epperson

a broken beautiful mess can be restored photo: Flickr Creative Commons - whatmegsaid — a broken beautiful mess can be restored
photo: Flickr Creative Commons – whatmegsaid

The thing is…you can’t fix this. You didn’t create this, but you’re here. A never asked for cup makes you feel broken. Like a wild animal caged,trapped…backed into a corner, your natural instinct is to attack. And if you were stronger, you would. But you’re bent over and bruised from fighting so long. You hide it well, but your heart bleeds. Crimson streams of red-hot lava…you, the broken beautiful mess, are still angry. You’re finding it hard to get out of this pushed in place. This struggle… this battle… is breaking you and you’re so tired.

You feel broken. If you could peel yourself out of this corner. Lift your limp, loose body from the floor because you’ve fallen. Again. And this time, doubt if the thing that’s broken can be fixed.

Sigh. Breathe. Sing. a new song…

Stay here. Wait for your God. He. The healer, fixer, redeemer and lover. The One who can and promises to restore. The mender of broken hearts. He’ll correct, mold and shape. Handle, hold and love.

Love.

He will reconstruct and rebuild.

He’ll renew your battle cry, strengthen your warrior song…
after the tears have dried…
after you’ve soaked in the remembrance of His word – which promises to heal…the broken.

You’ll make it back. I know you will. Bless God, you will.

So this is the Five Minute Friday post written just after midnight on Saturday (east coast). What can I say… I love this band of beauties and had to stop by for 5 minutes of joyful play with words.

I’m also linking up with Deidra Riggs at Jumping Tandem for The Sunday Community. I’ve been trailing Deidra for a minute now and find her words/work beautiful, powerful, bold, courageous…sincere. She “goes there” on the tough topics. So yes! I’m excited about hanging out with her this weekend. Can you tell?

You can join the fun…check out www.lisjobaker.com for more information.

and for more information and inspiration found in the Sunday Community visit www.deidrariggs.com

Infertility : First Steps to Finding Freedom

Posted on July 25, 2013 by lisha epperson

Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become pregnant after at least 1 year of unprotected sex (intercourse). You don’t want to think of yourself as a statistic but it’s been a year. 12 months of trying and still…no pregnancy. 1 in 8 couples will need help conceiving. Are you facing the possibility of an infertility diagnosis? What should you expect? What now? Here’s a link for a RESOLVE’s personal assessment tool to get you started asking the questions you need answered.

In the meantime here are a few things you can do to find and maintain freedom as you take the first steps.

Pray about it and make an appointment with your doctor. Choosing instead to wait a few years before taking action, many couples wait on this one. This is a mistake. The reality is the sooner you know where you stand, what’s going of with your body..the sooner you can take powerful steps toward achieving your goal. Call a doctor and ask to be referred to a reproductive endocrinologist. I believe God gives wisdom and knowledge to doctors of reproductive medicine. We can use them in faith. Decide for yourself how far you want to pursue a medical path and blaze your own faith/science trail.

If you haven’t already, take inventory of your nutritional intake. This goes for hubby too. Don’t go crazy and severely limit or restrict but pay attention to your diet. A whole foods approach with proper supplementation is the way to go. Healthy carbs are mandatory as well as sufficient fat content. Organic , grass-fed meats..fresh fruits and vegetables. Sufficient hydration with purified water, herbal teas and small amounts of fresh juice. Stay away from hydrogenated oils and processed foods as much as possible. Don’t be a slave to any of this but be mindful of the little foxes that can sabotage your health goals. Nourishing Traditions and The Maker’s Diet are invaluable resources that you may want to consider. Begin now to educate yourself in developing a healthy meal plan for your future family.

Find a form of exercise you enjoy and stick with it. Consistent exercise is a beautifully reliable source of stress relief. Infertility is stressful. It triggers tension and negative energy that should be channeled. Give this stress a regular outlet for release.

Find and confide in a friend. We are designed to bear each others burdens. Trust that a friend will share your pain and offer a non-judgemental hearing ear when you just need to vent. If you can’t find this in real life or just aren’t ready to “go there” with a friend – go online. There are many online communities with the sole purpose of being a hub for resources and information for those on the baby making journey. I am still connected to the friendships I made at Fertile Thoughts. Walking the journey with friends on the same path was indescribable. I’d found my tribe… find yours and embrace the community offered.

Get to know your God! Any faith-shaking challenge is an appointed season of testing…refining and development. Be encouraged..you are growing in the things of God. When you can’t see your way ahead, rely on your spiritual foundation as a source of strength. Set your heart to hope and stay in faith through the investment of time spent seeking God.

Keep a journal or start a blog. Dance, paint, sing, draw, act, design…These forms of expression are cathartic, redemptive, healing.

Allow yourself a day-off pass. There will be days when you will ignore all this advice. You’ll stay home eating chocolate and indulging in the caffeinated beverage of your choice. You’ll draw the curtains and watch movies in bed (mine was Sense and Sensibility). Maybe a little retail therapy is more your speed. The point is to allow yourself those days. Just make sure you don’t stay there. Wallow too long and you’ll end up a prisoner of doubt and unbelief. Your pass is only good for a day or two.

Applying these tips will help you maintain balance, keeping you from becoming consumed and contained by a major life struggle. Freedom and control are valuable when experiencing infertility. Mapping out a plan of action will free you to make choices about these first steps. Maintaining some semblance of control as you bravely don your warrior garb – is possible.

Don’t let infertility define your existence. You are more than a reproductive system. You are beautiful , strong and courageous. You are more than this challenge and somehow, you will make to the other side.

Have I missed anything? Please share any tips you’ve found helpful in managing your infertility walk.

on Growing Up and Going Out

Posted on July 22, 2013July 24, 2013 by lisha epperson

growing up in God – loving Him, loving me

LiChai is growing up. We sat together in church the other night. This isn’t a first or anything remarkable really, but it’s significant in this moment. As he slowly makes his way out of the nest, I’ve questioned the safety of the world he’s about to explore. I think more and more about what he has learned under my wings. Have I prepared him to take flight?

We arrived a few minutes late. Big Daddy kept watch in the lobby while Ade’, who’d missed his nap, enjoyed an early evening toddler knockout. LiChai and I found seats and fell into the flow of service. Just him and I. I immediately noticed the difference in our usual family make up. We are rarely alone. The addition of new lives and loves in the form of siblings has taken away special time like this for my first-born and I. It felt nice.

We kept time with the music ministry, swaying and clapping as they went through the selections for the evening. He watched me. I noticed him in his own groove, relaxed and natural, while his eyes followed me from time to time. Arms raised and giving it his all..he was a Christian mommy dream come true. I got to see and feel him in his own place of worship. It had everything and nothing to do with me. The acknowledgement of that was breath- taking…humbling.

How many times has he seen his dad and I standing before God in a room full, congregants of all colors, shapes and sizes…eyes closed, hearts lifted? The worship of Christ has been modeled for Him and I am grateful to have transferred this legacy. Particularly the week since the verdict , where the painful drama of racism resulted in unanswered questions, too many tears and the conversation that I just didn’t want to have. My heart delighted to know he’s learned the greatest acceptance…the love of his Heavenly Father. Confident of his reflection as it mirrors Christ, he knows who and whose he is. When this world confuses he has a hiding place. As he leaves the nest, he is cradled, welcomed into the arms of the Father who loved him first….arguably, loves him most.

At 4, he left our laps and skipped off to children’s church. I’ve seen glimpses of lessons he’s learned under the guidance of devoted teachers. Mixed with a whole lot of fun and games he learned to believe the greatness of God and speak in his heavenly language. With a faith beyond his years, he now speaks words of life over himself and others. Now, he chooses to sit with us. Growing up and out of the things of childhood – I guess he’s ready for solid food.

He hasn’t been with me like this in awhile and it was nice to have him back. Hearing him concur “amen!” to comments made by the pastor, ask a quick question about a scripture or stand up and sing when moved by a particular song. I loved and needed it all. My faith in God, if not humanity, fully restored as I watched my baby take off as a spiritual being …leaving the nest with eyes fixed towards heaven.