The NUMBER 17..................................

I didn't like the number 17. I didn't like it on sunny days. I didn't like it on cloudy days. I didn't like the number 17! In fact for the last couple of years I wished the calendar would jump from the 16th to the 18th. I didn't like the number 17.

On September 17, 2014 I received my last consult with the Reproductive Endocrinologist and readying myself for our first fertility treatment.

It was on November 17, 2014 that we received our result of the first failed IUI. It was on that day I was trying my hardest to get out of bed so that I may celebrate my mom's birthday but I was in such a low place that I couldn't do it. I didn't like this feeling and I didn't like the number 17.

Five months later on April 17, 2015 we receive the result of our second failed IUI. The day I saw my husband cry inconsolably will be a day I always remember. Yep... I don't like the number 17.

Oh and by the way,  did I ever mention my follicles struggled to get above 17 millimeters during the fertility treatments? Yeah so about that number 17... I don't like 17.

On June 17, 2015, I was ovulating on my own, even when doctors said it wouldn't happen. I was so elated and ready for my husband to come home. Instead I got a call from a news reporter friend about the Mother Emanuel tragedy and had to call my husband to ensure he was not at the usual meeting spot for pastors on our district. When he found out the news of the tragedy, he was summoned to meet with his Elder and the other pastors to pray and console the families waiting to hear of the news of their loved ones. There was no chance of making a baby tonight and I couldn't even think about being intimate under the circumstances nor through the tears of losing several people we loved. I don't like the 17th.

Birthdays are special to us so I felt horribly crying at my husband's birthday dinner on August 17 when the discussion of babies came up. I felt better when he released to me that it was hard for him as well.

Those feelings of despising the number 17 changed when Dr. Gleaton gave me the due date for our little angel. You guessed it..................... the 17th. When Dr. Gleaton told us the anticipated arrival  date was July 17, I had the biggest smile on my face. I am anticipating so much on that day!! I get to see God's promise face to face on that day!!!!  All of a sudden I loved the 17th and I realized that God had to change my heart towards some things I didn't like. I also realized in order to receive complete healing, I had to drop my resentment to the doctor I had bad feelings towards because the fertility treatments didn't work. I had to seek more joy than to remember the pain associated with the number 17.

Let's look at the number 17 a little bit.

Did you not know that the number 17 represents VICTORY in the Bible? Victory was definitely ours. As a matter of fact today and everyday are our days of victory but I especially love looking at the 17th as that day. In like manner 17 being the seventh of the series, it partakes of and intensifies the significance of the number seven. Indeed, it is the combination or sum of two perfect numbers—seven and ten—seven being the number of spiritual perfection, and ten of ordinal perfection. Contrasted together the significance of these two numbers is clear; and when united in the number Seventeen we have a union of their respective meanings, viz., spiritual perfection, plus ordinal perfection, or the perfection of spiritual order.

The number 17 signifies "vanquishing the enemy" and "complete victory in Christ." During the days of Noah, God vanquished rebellious mankind by the flood which He began on the 17th day of 2nd month. The ark came to rest on the 17th day of the 7th month. Jesus was victorious over death when God raised Him from the dead on the 17th day of the first month.

The 17th time love is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13, it says, "The greatest of all is LOVE" (verse 13). I smiled remembering our engagement celebration scripture. Hence, the love of God (John 3:16) is victorious in all things since he joined my husband and I together. True believers will be victorious over death at the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).

Today I am every more inspired because I know today and everyday, God is really up to something. Let’s celebrate VICTORY DAY! My baby will be born and will be victorious!

Maybe the number 17 isn't so bad at all. I officially love the 17th as I anticipate the arrival of Baby Washington.