This post contains affiliate links. You can see my full disclosure here.
To celebrate Thanksgiving, I thought I’d post some thoughts about being thankful in the midst of infertility. I’m not thankful that I’m going through it, but I am thankful for some things in it.
I’m thankful I have a husband who constantly tells me loves me and reminds me that God loves me even more.
We decided early on in our IF journey that we would not let this harm our marriage. We’ve been so blessed that it’s actually brought us closer.
I’m thankful that I have the financial resources to pursue treatment.
We’re not rich and money can be tight, but we have been able to pay for treatment even though our insurance covers nothing. I’m well aware that finances are one of the main reasons some people do not pursue treatment, and this makes me even more grateful that I can.
I’m thankful that my RE’s office is only a 10-minute drive from our house and literally 30 seconds from my work.
I could walk from work to my RE’s office if I absolutely had to. I’ve read many accounts of couples driving hours each way to the RE, and I can’t imagine how that disrupts their lives.
I’m thankful that I live in a time where we have medical options.
My heart aches for the millions of women who suffered from infertility when there were no diagnoses and no treatment. I’m so sad for all of them who thought they were infertile due to a curse or God’s punishment. And I especially grieve for all the women who suffered the cultural stigma of infertility when, unbeknownst to them, the problem was male factor.
I’m thankful that my employer has allowed me to miss work for RE appointments without any kind of explanation or documentation required.
My work is very flexible when it comes to medical issues. I told my supervisor I’d be missing some meetings due to doctor’s appointments, and I asked if he needed a note or explanation. He said, “No explanation required. Your health is our top priority. Do what you need to do.” I’m a very private person, so this relieved a lot of anxiety.
I’m thankful that I’ve been welcomed into the infertility blogging community.
I’m so sad that other people are going through this painful experience of infertility, but I am also so glad that I don’t have to walk this road alone. I don’t talk about my infertility very much with my “real life” friends. It seems that you can’t really understand it if you haven’t experienced it. Every blogger I’ve interacted with has been friendly and supportive, and I appreciate every single comment that’s been left on my blog.
I’m thankful that God is in control.
I may not understand why I’m going through all this. That mystery might only be revealed to me on the other side of eternity. But I am thankful that one day it WILL make sense. I WILL see God’s purpose and I WILL see His plan in all of it. He is the ultimate giver of life, and I know He’s in control.
What can you be thankful for in your infertility? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Want to dive deeper into cultivating a sense of gratefulness? I highly recommend the Cultivate Gratitude / Write the Word Journal from Lara Casey. It features specially-selected verses for you to write out and plenty of additional space for journaling, prayers, or whatever is on your heart.
