Ah, Motherhood 🌸
Motherhood is exhilarating.
It is far more of every emotion than I could have ever imagined- more challenging, more joyous, more encouraging, more exhausting, more work, and more rewarding. Every emotion is heightened, every conviction is confronted, every hope is required and every aspect of love is tested.
Pregnancy has been one of my favorite life experiences. There is nothing like feeling the baby move. Psalm 139 speaks of God knitting a child together inside of his mother’s womb. The thought takes my breath away. God’s hands are all over your little babies; they will come out covered in His fingerprints!
There are so many things I would like to share today, but I have narrowed to three.
Relax
This one sounds so much easier than it is. But having been a mom for nearly 30 years, I think that I finally understand why it is so difficult.
Relaxing is hard because I keep trying to hold on to other things. I try to relax and– confession time– I want to relax and still do everything else on my list and on the list I think everyone else maintains. I want to relax and keep the house like a page out of “Good Housekeeping.” I want to relax and make it all look easy. These things will sap your joy and steal your relaxation. Lean into motherhood with all of its noise and messiness. Embrace it.
Point them to Jesus.
It is never too early to start this one. Time to marvel at His handiwork as you try to take in the little blessing that He has sent. Talk to them about His love. Sing to them about His glory. Show them His creation. Do these things when you sit, when you walk, when you lie down and when you rise up.
Tell them you love them, but more importantly, tell them that He loves them, has a plan for them, goes before, walks with and comes behind them. Always remember they are His first. He has given them to you as a trust. Your job is to prepare them to do good works, which He prepared in advance for them to do.
Enjoy Motherhood
Our culture rushes, pushes and devalues children, but every stage is to be savored. Take time to unwrap and snuggle skin to skin often. Kiss them all over: their little ears, their elbows, their shoulders, their necks, their fingers and their tiny toes. Look into those little eyes and connect with their little souls. Whisper in their ears. Let their little hands hold your finger. Let their little heads rest in your hand. Let their little voices be heard.
As they get older, celebrate every day as a unique day that the Lord has made- rejoice and be glad in it! Breathe in deeply as you roll with them on the floor, read books, snuggle, laugh and live life abundantly.
May you be filled with His hope and joy. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace.