Looking Forward to my Heavenly Father's Strength...

"Praise the Lord!  How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting!" (Psalms 147:1)

Whoo! I am excited and overwhelmed as I think of the change-filled reality that another birth and baby will bring into my life and into my family :)  There is a whole lot of change ahead and while I can feel it coming (very soon) I know I can really only prepare for it in the rest and peace of my Father's Arms!  One thing I know won't change though, is that I will still need Him more than ever and He will still be here through it all.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. 

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:1-3, 10 NIV)

Truly He will be exalted!  And as He is my refuge I am really wanting to face some of the hard realities ahead in His strength- don't take this as a negative blog post!  There is just something freeing about realizing that labor is not going to be easy, but rather hard, hard work, and then once my little girl is here there will be a brand new lack of sleep as she and I learn to get on a new rhythm together.  These are not sad things- just tough realities that are mixed with many blessings!  

I hope to learn again firsthand through my own weaknesses that God is oh-so-powerful, constant, and merciful.  Labor was very much full of those reminders the first time around and I have faith that this labor will also bring those Truths about God to mind in a new and mighty way. Now I just pray that I will be able to focus on Him again and not only my own momentary struggles as I get thrown into the heat of it this second time around ;)

"He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might.  

No, the Lord ’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in His unfailing love." (Psalms 147:10, 11).

Aw yes!  Please let my hope in you Lord, be a delight to you.  That is my goal in labor- as hard as it may be!

(Forewarning: these ramblings ahead are for a mature adult audience- not to freak anyone out- I just don't want to shock any kids either)

There is also this thing called nursing that begins after having a baby...  It's wonderful and weird to finally have your belly back after nearly 10 months of sharing it 24/7, but in this new found belly freedom comes this crazy enslavement of your chest.  Lol- don't let that image be an ugly one, maybe enslavement isn't the best word to use, it's more of a humble service to your little one...  they won't remember all the work put into their health, but God will remember and in those late night nursings He has met with me so many times!  It's wonderful and it is also a lot of work!  Are you seeing a theme here?  ;p 

I have to mention another not so easy reality (that isnt hard for all women lol but isnt my favorite), the fact that after birth there is at least 6 weeks without deep physical intimacy with your hubby. Thankfully there are many other forms of intimacy that develop and thrive- just to mention a few: in your teamwork, giving, and friendship.  However, it is still a hard adjustment to have some of your body on hold from your hubby- thankfully not all of your body though!  All these changes really do go by fairly quick, but they can also be a little emotionally overwhelming at times.

The truth: birth and babies come with a lot of adjustments.  And yet, nothing else in the world can compare to the rewards of this new and changing time.  There are joys to be had that cannot be expressed, and wounds to be dealt with that only God can fully know and heal.  Truly, helping to bring a new life into this world is an amazing spiritual journey that can only be understood by fully seeking after The Lord!  I don't want to miss any of it and that's why I just wanted to take time to reflect and look ahead...

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? 

Have you not understood since the earth was founded? 

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. 

He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 

'To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?' says the Holy One. 

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. 

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:21, 22, 25, 26, 28-31 NIV)

Hallelujah!

That is a reality that I look forward to facing everyday- God does not grow tired or weary!!!

Thank you Jesus :)