1/16/2012 Marriage and fertility concernsI was a mother by choice. I knew my husband had been diagnosed as infertile when I married him. And up until the wedding ring was placed on my finger, I had always been OK with not ever having children. But shortly after the wedding, the day came when I wasn't fine with it anymore. Science and Health explains, "Marriage is the legal and moral provision for generation among humankind." (p. 56) Now, I have never read the word generation in the narrow "production of babies" sense that would cast men and women in the role of personal creators. To me, as it is used in this quote, the spiritual sense of generation speaks to the production of good in individuals, in families and in society, when a moral and legal promise is made, and a commitment fulfilled, to be a lifelong witness to spiritual growth in another person. That diagnosis of infertility felt like an arbitrary glass ceiling and an injustice - a limitation on how much good we could witness in each other and the good we could generate in our marriage. So I started to protest this claim of infertility in prayer. I couldn't see how a productive, creative Mind could be reflected in an unproductive, powerless, stunted creation. I will admit that those early prayers were often tinged a bit with "I want a baby." And that self-will had to go. Trading the idea of a thwarted creation for a willful self-perpetuating creation wasn't the upgrade in spiritual understanding that was needed to bring about healing. In the gospel of Thomas, Jesus said, "Know what is before thy face, and what is hidden from thee shall be revealed unto thee; for there is nothing hidden which shall not be made manifest." What was "before my face" was an opportunity to understand God, Spirit, to be unlimited in expression and potential, and to create and perpetuate good only. I came across this helpful idea in Science and Health. "(T)he legitimate and only possible action of Truth is the production of harmony. Laws of nature are laws of Spirit; but mortals commonly recognize as law that which hides the power of Spirit. Divine Mind rightly demands man's entire obedience, affection, and strength. No reservation is made for any lesser loyalty. Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength. Submission to error superinduces loss of power."(p.183) So, I protested on the side of divine Truth, refusing to submit to the belief that material law could violate the natural spiritual law of harmony. Consequently I felt more and more hopeful and less and less willful. I stopped outlining the form that our fertility should or must take, realizing I couldn't ask God to give me something that wasn't already there, already created in Mind and ready to be revealed. My prayer was to see and accept good, and to express that good, as it already existed in God. As it turned out, a baby came along about 10 months later. No one was more surprised by the news than my husband's physician. But for us, she was better than a surprise. She was a revelation of the good that is naturally generated when one commits to witnessing to the truth of God and man. Did you enjoy this blog? Did you find it helpful? The readership of this blog is growing by leaps and bounds everyday due to readers - like you - sharing (see new share button at top of sidebar), emailing, tweeting, and posting the link so that others can find it.
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amarinder
1/16/2012 04:09:59 am
very inspiring !! what was the problem, infertility , i mean reason behind infertility , was it azospermia , varicocele etc ? 1/16/2012 04:25:18 am
Hello Amarinder, Good to see you here! The diagnosis was Azoospermia. This problem had followed him for several decades. Ours was a second marriage for him and he was over 55 when this was healed.
Amy
1/16/2012 07:41:08 am
I loved this: "...an opportunity to understand God, Spirit, to be unlimited in expression and potential..." 1/16/2012 07:53:02 am
One of my favorite thoughts expressing infinite potential is to be "as full of possibilities as a perfect harp."
Kim
1/16/2012 08:18:39 am
What an awesome testimony to start the week with. Thanks for sharing that.
carrie
1/16/2012 10:18:35 am
I want to add this ... I too longed for children after I was married, but none came. A dear friend and practitioner worked with me, assuring me that either I would have children, or I wouldn't, but either way, I would not, could not, feel a sense of lack or incompleteness. Shortly after that, I visited the Reading Room at our church, and the librarian suggested I listen to a lovely tape of the Psalms. I took it, wanting to be gracious but wondering when on earth I would have time to listen. Some months later I grabbed it to listen to during a long trip. There I was, driving through New Hampshire, and the words came ... "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children." I thought ... wow! It's a biblical promise. Who knew? Within a week I tested positive and within two years had two lovely girls. And there has been so much joy. I hope this encourages others who face this issue. 1/16/2012 10:26:25 am
Oh Carrie, What a treasure and a gift to have you share your experience. I know it will bless others! Thank you.
Amy
1/16/2012 01:37:44 pm
Hey Michelle -- GREAT blog. I had a baby after having a battery of medical tests indicate that I couldn't get pregnant (there was a problem with my eggs). The promise of Christian Science--that man isn't stuck with limited circumstances--helped me see that I didn't have to accept that diagnosis. The physical symptoms that sent me to the doctor in the first place left quickly, and once my husband and I were ready to have children, I got pregnant within a short time span. 1/16/2012 01:50:36 pm
Dear Amy,
Kay
1/17/2012 08:48:20 am
I really liked that last quote, too...........lifts the thought of generation to "production of good". Thanks! Comments are closed.
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Find me on YouTube I have practiced Christian Science professionally in some form since 1979. But my journey with Christian Science started in a Sunday school where as a young child I was taught the Scriptures and some simple basics of Jesus' method of scientific Christian healing. A significant experience at the age of twelve opened my eyes to the great potential of this practice. After impaling my foot on a nail, I prayed the way I had learned in Sunday school. Within moments the pain stopped and healing began. By the next morning the wound had disappeared completely. Having experienced the great potential of Christian Science, there would be no turning back. |
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© 2011-2024 Michelle Boccanfuso Nanouche, CSB. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Site updated November 25, 2024
© 2011-2024 Michelle Boccanfuso Nanouche, CSB. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Site updated November 25, 2024