Sarah Laughed. I Get That.
Jon Arnold | December 11, 2009As I told you before in this post, our family walked through ten years of barrenness before we finally had our first children. We have three now, all conceived with the help of doctors. We needed doctor help because of some specific medical conditions that made it next to impossible for us to conceive.
I say “next to impossible”, because, yes, we are now officially expecting child number 4 (next June)!
It’s fairly cliche, really. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard this story: “Our friends tried for years, then they all of a sudden got pregnant.” Whenever I mentioned to friends that we were all done having kids after three, they often poked me back with “Hey wouldn’t it be funny if you all of a sudden got pregnant?”
And it IS funny. Abraham and Sarah both laughed when God promised them a son “by this time next year.” I think I get the joke. It’s funny when you think about it – now, after all this time. After all our efforts and processes and procedures and waiting and hoping and praying and crying and believing and asking and even receiving, now.
It’s a funny thing for us to have what is by all measures a “normal” pregnancy – to not be at the doctor 2-3 times a week, fretting over every detail and number and level. To experience the relative ease of the “normal” process.
It’s funny to see the reaction of doctors, who have the empirical data on our condition. Most people know their eggo is preggo when they get two lines on the EPT. Our docs wanted to test for a whole host of other conditions first – because the LAST thing they were thinking was “baby on board.” Once it was confirmed, our baby docs wanted to send over some ultrasound pics to our fertility docs – sort of an interdepartmental “in your face.” Funny.
Of course, the most wonderful thing of all is seeing the hand of God in this miraculous moment. We will have another child because the One who holds the whole universe together decided we needed one more. And He decided to do it in just His way, in His time, and He is hilarious.
When I found out, I laughed too. Not with cynicism or doubt, but because it’s a moment that’s ironic, and perfect, and full of pure joy. And that’s been a long time coming.
Now a prayer for all those still waiting – waiting for children, or healing, or a thousand other things. May you gain strength by trusting in Jesus. May you know beyond your doubts that you are not alone, not forgotten, not cursed. May He give you the desire of your heart. In His way. In His time. And when He does, I hope you laugh!
Now let’s go with a boy this time. Four women in the house is nice, but five – not funny.






Congratulations!!! That is pretty crazy and wonderful.
Great Stacy – borrow away! If it can be of even a little encouragement, that’s our hope!
So excited for you both! What a story of God’s faithfulness! I “borrowed” your blog for my blog. Hope that you don’t mind. We have several people in our church who are praying and have been for a long time for children. Your story is pretty hilarious and encouraging!
Man– this means I can no longer leave suggestive comments on facebook, trying to get you to accidentally admit it to the masses on the internet. Oh well… it was fun while it lasted : ) Congratulations!!
Just think…if I was still living there…it would be 6 girls! Praying for a boy….for your sanity
Congratulations!
While we didn’t have to wait as long as you did, we did experience the wait, ectopic pregnancies, emergency room visits, loss…
Anyway, we were going through the foster care adoption process when we discovered we were pregnant.
He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord! (Ps. 113:9).