Say a Prayer

I just e-mailed my friend Jodee in hopes to encourage her. She is due to have her first baby in September. She is one of my very good friends from college, and it just makes me smile and giggle when I think of her having a baby! How fun! As with any new mom (myself DEFINITELY included), she expressed some anxiousness about the pending birth and raising of a child. It was so refreshing to get all my thoughts down...and I thought I'd post them here to remind all you moms and tell all you not-yet-moms about the anxious-thoughts-turned-to-amazing-realties of becoming a mother.

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I am glad you shared with me your reaction to finding out and what you feel as you look towards having Baby. It's good for you to talk about it. I kept my thoughts and feelings to myself more than I should have...and they were very similar to your own as far as knowing how serious a life change it is. I had the opposite reaction when we found out -- denial. :-P I was a little more anxious than you about the labor/delivery, but my mom sent me some very cheery flowers with the PERFECT words: "God designed your body to do this." What relief and peace washed over me! He DID design a woman's body to give birth -- so my body could do it. But boy was I contemplative about the change. It IS huge, Jodee. I won't candy-coat it for you. Your and Jason's relationship will change. You will always be tired (unless God lets you be different the rest of us). Your patience and selfishness will show up even MORE than it did when you got married (assuming marriage unveiled it for you...it did for me!). You will learn ever more how to live day by day, letting tomorrow worry about itself. You will have the inconvenience of pain, bleeding, sore nipples, swelling, in-between-clothing. You'll get to find out how pregnancy has changed certain things about your body for good (my ribs and hips are much more spread out permanently, I am more prone to in-grown toenails for some odd reason, my hair is falling out like crazy).

But Jodee...

You will look into the precious eyes of your son and see the joy of the world in there. You will hold his soft little hand knowing God trusts you with the care of another human being -- HE knows you are ready whether you think so or not. You will kiss that sweet plump cheek and not ever get enough of it. You will watch your husband's eyes sparkle as he tenderly holds his son. Jason will come to understand more of what it is to be a woman and deal with the struggles of being a wife and mother -- he will serve you in ways you never knew he could. You will learn the fine and valuable art of being flexible, letting go of the details. You will have a tiny companion during the day while you stay home. You have the chance to raise a little soldier of the Lord. You will come to understand just how fragile and precious life is. You will learn above all how much MORE you need the Lord's strength and guidance as you care for the blessing He has given you.

You will never be able to express in words the profound love you are about to aquire. It is JUST as strong as the love you have for Jason, but in a very different way. You'll see.

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Say a prayer for Jodee and my other friend Denise who is also due in September. Both are new moms having sons. Motherhood is precious!