One Thousand Gifts

I am starting a a new book with a friend who also happens to be struggling with infertility. I am pretty excited about it. My friend has an incredible faith. She is dependent upon the Lord and it excites me that we'll have an opportunity to learn, process, grow and become grateful together.  The book is called One Thousand Gifts.

It is interesting how we've reached this point in life. You see this friend of my mine (with whom I'm reading the book) was an acquaintance, a friend of a friend, if you will, while in college. She and I didn't directly hang out together and really did not have what I would call a friendship. She was always kind and friendly but time did now allow for our friendship to blossom.

Fast forward eight years...

Her mom knows my mother in law. Ironically they shared with each other about their children both having difficulty conceiving. My mother in law shared that we may want to talk with this other couple because they have started the fertility treatments and we had not yet.

We arranged for dinner...well just for the ladies. She and I met, shared feelings, how those feelings relate to our faith, and the difficulty of all things associated with infertility. I must say, I was nervous meeting for the first time. I want things to go perfectly. I don't want to cross any boundaries of comfort and I certainly don't want to make the struggle of infertility all about me.

We met and things clicked. Even looking back at that first meeting and subsequent meetings I am still amazed at God's plan. Here we are...two individuals whose paths wouldn't normally cross. Two individuals who while dealing with one of the most difficult things in life also want to glorify God throughout it all.

This (what I would certainly now call a) friend and I met last week to discuss the first two chapters of this book. I am so grateful she's willing to share, ask questions and listen. I found quickly we have different ways of processing the information, but think that's so healthy! We will be challenging each other to look at this book from different perspectives.

But what I love most is the story. God introduced us to each other almost 10 years ago. But years later, after time, growth, questioning, seeking, praying and hoping...he has led us to each other to love, comfort and experience True Community together. God intertwined our lives for years to lead us to this point.

This book is all about gratitude and living the full life of Thanksgiving. As I look at my own struggle with infertility, I could choose to question God, wonder why us, ask if he is good, ...the list could go on for days.  But what I am learning is the joy in the struggle. Honestly - I would not be at this point of growing deeper with a long time acquaintance if it weren't for infertility. God planned this story.  He gave us both this journey to walk. He gave us both the opportunity to grow and gave us both the courage to be vulnerable.

So it is with thanksgiving that I write this post. I am thankful for the place where God has led me. I praise him for my friend. And I look forward to sharing much more with you about this incredible book.