God Works in Mysterious Ways

When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Genesis 30:31


Numerous times in the Bible we see God “opening and shutting” wombs: Sarah, Michal, Hannah, Elizabeth, to name but a few.

After our marriage, I learned my first husband was sterile. I wasn’t upset when I learned the news because I knew God still had power to “open and shut” wombs. I fully expected God would reverse my husband’s sterility and we would have our own biological children to raise holy before the LORD.

Years passed. God did not answer my prayers or reward my faith.
Correction: God did not answer my prayers or reward my faith the way I expected him to.

Why? Because God knew the future and I didn’t. After 22 years of marriage, my husband abandoned me. In tears, I thanked God we had no biological children to suffer the pain of divorce.

Was I robbed of children? Absolutely not. I have mentored exchange students, prisoners, family members and others. So many young people call me “Mom” that when asked how many children do I have—my favorite response is “I forget.”