.Get a bunch of moms together and you can be guaranteed that at some point you will hear stories of pregnancy, birth, and/or motherhood. Of course! This year, just among my own physical family and church family:
- Brenda's twins came six weeks early in February - they stayed in the NICU for weeks..
- Debbie gave birth to Jonathan in May by c-section.
- Kristy came close to death giving birth to C.J. in May.
- Our grandson, Perry, was born naturally (at home) in June.
- Mandy gave birth to Libby naturally in July after struggling with gestational diabetes.
- Our grandaughter, Kaleah, was born naturally and quickly in October.
- On Wednesday, Kristi gave birth to Caleb by c-section after an extremely rough, iron deficient pregnancy.
It doesn't always work out as we desire... among those in my extended family...
- Jennifer has prayed and waited for five years to get pregnant. Praise God, she finally is!
- Stacia had a baby die in birth last year. Last week, Stacia lost twins at 8 weeks of pregnancy.
- There are others, including some of you who are where Jennifer had been... trying... trying again...
It really doesn't work out as we plan.... Just by looking at both lists above, you certainly can tell that there were some storms to ride. The emotions are high and the battle is tough. Yet, at some point each of these women have had to face head on:
"It’s not about what happens.
It’s about perspective.
I may not be able to change what takes place,
but I can always choose to change my thinking."
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God's perspective on this matter is clear. Proverbs, written with female pronouns, says it simply in 23:7:
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"For as she thinks within herself, so she is."
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What a challenge! The storms of life hit us, one right after the other, and we are tempted to raise our fist at God, to be negative, to run over people (often those who we love the most). We have to re-calibrate our thinking daily... hour by hour.... minute by minute...
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How wonderful to have the spiritual support of fellow believers to encourage, exhort, and support each other. Our church family offers a class for women every Tuesday morning, with babysitting provided. This past Tuesday, some who cannot attend on a regular basis because of jobs, were there because they were off for election day.
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A huge blessing was having Brenda (in light pink) and Matthew show up with their 3 little ones all the way from Japan.
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We all got to see her twins for the first time since they were born in February.
.Maggie and Lexi were thrilled to see each other again.
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Five of us went to lunch together (with 8 kiddoes in tow) and caught up as Mandy and Brenda shared stories of pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. Carla had plenty to share with three little ones still at home. Annette was getting ready to celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary with Dave the next day; she had words of wisdom!
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.As Brenda held the twins, like an old pro, she talked about the challenges.... the storms... and the importance in how she keeps her perspective.
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It was a time most BLESSED! We all love it that because of Jesus, we are family!
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Yep! The next day, Kristi gave birth to Caleb Jeremiah! Thank You, God! Steve dropped by the hospital yesterday with this bear. Big brother Jason exclaimed that the bear was bigger than the baby! Let's get a different perspective in a few months.
Romans 5:1-8
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"Therefore,
since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access
by faith into this GRACE
in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope
of the glory of God."
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