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Stephanie Rische

Blogger and Writer: Capturing Stories of God's Grace

January 9, 2018

The Irrational Season

One year ago on Christmas Eve, I was holding my three-year-old niece in church as we sang “Silent Night.” My heart was as frozen as the sheet of ice outside. I was feeling much more “bleak midwinter” than “all is calm, all is bright.”

The candles were lit, and the magic was all around me. But no magic was making its way past my Gore-Tex heart.

Round yon virgin,
Mother and Child

Would I ever get to be a mom? I wondered. Another year had passed with no answer, no miracle. And I felt weary. Believing was too hard, too painful. Maybe it was time to concede graciously, to admit that this just wasn’t part of the plan. Maybe it was time to pick up the shreds of hope littered across the floor of my heart and move on.

That’s when my niece looked up and started staring at something near the front of the church. “What is it?” I asked. But she just kept staring, mute. Finally the spell was broken. “I saw an angel,” she told me matter-of-factly.

After the service was over, I did a full interrogation of my niece. Surely this was a misunderstanding or the product of an overactive imagination. But she wouldn’t budge from her claim. And in the quiet of my heart, I sensed God whispering, Do you believe I can still do the impossible? Do you think I’ve retired from performing miracles? You have plenty of head knowledge about me, but do you really believe? Do you believe I can work in your own life, right now, this year?

In that moment, I didn’t know. I wanted to believe, but I wasn’t sure I did.

So I did the best I could: I told God I would try. I decided my word for 2017 would be believe—not because I did, but because I wanted to learn. I hoped he could thaw my icy heart.

***

One year later, we were singing “Silent Night” again. Only this time I didn’t light my candle, because my arms were full. I was holding a baby in my arms—my own sleeping son.

Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

As I tried to wipe away the tears before they splashed onto my baby, I saw clearly that belief isn’t something you earn. It isn’t something you can take credit for. It’s a gift, pure and simple. It’s a piece of grace given to the likes of someone like me who doesn’t deserve it.

2017 didn’t have to end the way it did. I know full well that some people believe with more fervor and faithfulness than I could muster and don’t get the answer they long for. I don’t know why. But I do know that belief is worth it. Because even if we don’t get the thing we want, belief moves us. It changes us. It softens us. It thaws us.

No matter how things turn out, belief draws us close to the heart of the God who loves us.

This is the irrational season
when love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
there’d have been no room for the child.
~Madeleine L’Engle

Whatever you are believing God for in 2018 (or trying to believe), may God give you the courage to hope again. And when you can’t hope, may you feel the warmth of his arms around you.

15 Comments Filed Under: Family, Seasons Tagged With: angels, baby, belief, Christmas, hope, Madeleine L'Engle, miracles, new year, Silent Night
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About Stephanie

I think that glimmers of grace are all around us, and I'd love to share those stories with you. I hope you'll grab a cup of coffee and join me at StephanieRische.com.

Quote of the Week

“Some things have to be believed to be seen.”
—Madeleine L’Engle

Discussion

  1. Linda MacKillop says

    January 9, 2018 at 10:57 am

    Yes, a God of miracles. So grateful for your beautiful miracle, Stephanie!

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:06 pm

      So glad you got to hold this miracle, Linda!

      Reply
  2. Kristen Joy Wilks says

    January 9, 2018 at 11:49 am

    Thank you Stephanie, for sharing this story with us. Believing is so so hard. It helps when we band together and tell of those moments when yes, we saw God. He did something that amazed and for once, we recognized His hand at work among us. These moments help keep us going. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:06 pm

      Yes! I’ve been believing on your behalf this year too.

      Reply
  3. Maggie R says

    January 9, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    Stephanie, stories like yours must be told as they remind us to keep pressing on even when “rationality” tells us what we are praying for might never happen. I love that God sent your son on the start of his journey into the world right around Christmastime. Immanuel – God with us!

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:07 pm

      Maggie, you had a year where some impossible dreams came true too! Rejoicing with you.

      Reply
  4. Brittany says

    January 9, 2018 at 12:34 pm

    Believing is definitely worth it! Thanks for sharing your story so humbly and giving God the glory for the birth of your son. You are an amazing mom, I have no doubt! I’m working on a word of the year for myself right now too. Excellent post, my friend! Hugs!

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:09 pm

      You have been there…thanks for walking this road before me, Brittany!

      Reply
  5. Maria says

    January 9, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    You are an amazing woman and wonderful mom. I’ve been at a loss for a 2018 word for myself, but you’ve inspired me — BELIEVE. Our merciful, gracious God’s plans for 2018 are worth trusting and believing in.

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:10 pm

      Thank you, Maria! So glad you got to meet my little guy. I’m believing God’s good plans for you and your family in 2018!

      Reply
  6. Linda K Taylor says

    January 10, 2018 at 7:45 am

    Thank you. I needed that today. And such a blessed story!

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      Thank you, Linda! May God bless you richly in the year ahead.

      Reply
  7. Amy Boucher Pye says

    January 10, 2018 at 8:45 am

    ‘I believe; help my unbelief.’ Love your post, and the story of your niece seeing the angel. At times we need the eyes of a child…

    Reply
    • Stephanie says

      January 11, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      Thank you, Amy! Oh, to have the faith of a child!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. When Your Belief Breaks says:
    December 16, 2019 at 8:45 am

    […] waiting and hoping for God to bring a baby into our family three years ago, I chose believe as my word for the year. A friend gave me a bracelet with the word etched into it, and I wore it all year. I’m not sure I […]

    Reply

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