Today I have the absolute joy and honour of introducing our newest Guest Author, Anna Harris, who writes with such clarity, vulnerability, honesty and truth. Her first article will be posted tomorrow, so make sure you don’t miss it. DOW has much pleasure in welcoming Anna to the team.  Ed.

“God, I don’t know if you’re real, but if you are, I want to know you.”

That was the sincere prayer of third grade me as I stood in the playground at Kyogle Public School. I had a sticker on my school bag that said, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven”. When a classmate pointed at it and asked, “Are you one of those Christians?” I paused before saying “Yes, I am”. Up until then, faith belonged to my Aunty Juneanne, my sister, my parents. On that day it became mine and it was a request God honoured.

Over many years, He introduced himself to me. Through schoolyard bullying and chronic illness, He has shown himself ever-present and ever-faithful. God surrounded me with a Christian family. It was my safe place as life brought its challenges.

Back in the 1980s, I was in my late teens when I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). I was told I might not be able to have children. That broke my heart, as all I truly wanted in life was to be a Mum. I wanted an entire footy team. In 1990s my PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) became Type 2 diabetes. I had fertility treatments of every kind. In 2005, Grace was born after a stint in the freezer as an embryo. I had a molly-coddled insulin-dependent pregnancy and a precious Christmas gift, Grace.

The next seven years were a time of pressing, of reading God’s word and learning to proclaim it like a battle cry. When God promises you something, you can hold Him to it. As a team, my husband and I reminded God of his promises through failed IVF cycles and barren years.

Just like Jacob waited seven years to marry Rachel, we waited for Jacob. But the promises of God are faithful. In 2011 Jacob arrived into our family and made us complete. I didn’t have a football team; I have a perfect pair.

God is in our pain and suffering. He draws near at these times. I walked a long slow faith journey where I got to know the Lord deeply. Would that have happened without the test of infertility? I often wonder if I could have learned to depend on God without that experience.

Through decades of leaning on God, He has become my closest friend and confidant. He is my provider. He has used me in the workplace to support children with disabilities, and to help their families. He has been faithful and used my own journey as a source of wisdom and encouragement for others.

This is our God. This is what He does. I love to write, and I am looking forward to sharing Jesus and his multi-faceted love with you.

Anna Harris
October 22, 2024