At the beginning of October, those two little lines foretold of great adventure starting once again. We are due June 15 and will once again wait until delivery day to find out the gender. The first trimester was full of nausea and general blah feelings, so I was so excited to enter the second and say goodbye to those ailments. Haha! Isn't it funny that God has no use for medical advice! Many say that once you enter the second trimester, sickness subsides. Not so for me. This blog title is without grumbling and complaining, thus I am seeking the positive side of the exhaustion and headaches that are occurring on a daily basis. Here is my intentionally optimistic focus:
This baby is growing. Every sick feeling, tired moment, ache or pain is a reminder that life is being formed within me. I am currently, actively participating in one of God's miracles! Having just finished celebrating Jesus birth, it is a neat time to be mindful of the feelings Mary must have experienced as she felt the Savior of the world kicking and flipping inside of her. It is so awesome to have a small part in the amazing way God brings more life into this world.
My family loves me. Even the boys are, for the most part, being so sweet to their mommy as I go through these times of sickness. They have given countless hugs and kisses, played quietly while I rested on the couch, and been generally agreeable as I look for the sunshiny side. Shaun...amazing!
There are others who need my prayer more desperately than I and feeling bad is a reminder of the heartache or physical pain many others experience daily. Friends who are not able to carry a child, who may give anything to feel nausea due to a baby growing inside are brought mind as I look for Tylenol for momentary relief. Those who have gone through the heartbreak of miscarriage or stillborns...I cannot imagine the hurt. Though we have no guarantees in life on earth, I am constantly thinking of those who have gone through such loss and my heart breaks for broken dreams. Likewise, many who are able to become pregnant are forced into bed-rest or hospitalization to secure a safe delivery. As of yet, this has not been a problem I must face and for that, I am grateful.
I will deliver this baby in a clean, fully stocked, well staffed hospital. Missionaries and those who do not have the luxuries afforded us in the U.S. become heroes as I consider the uneasiness I would have facing delivery in less equipped facilities or no facilities at all.
So, I choose to see the blessings of all-day-sickness. While some of these statements lean toward negativity, I am trying to be mindful of the positive aspects...above all...WE ARE HAVING A BABY!!!!! Does it get better than that? I submit that it does not!
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Inspired
I have begun reading 7 by Jen Hatmaker. Inspired by her willingness to share the hard truth of each step of her challenge, I have decided to record my own challenge here. I will not publicize the "project," to family and friends as not to make it an assignment, but hope that it is noticeable in its changes in me.
Philippians 2:14 says, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." The following verses continue, "so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain."
So, herein lies my challenge, to do everything without grumbling and complaining. I do not see myself as a squeaky wheel or nag, but the room for improvement in this area is drastic.
From the start of my days, I am already in a state of grumbling as the clock wakes me for work or the boys wake me far before my body is ready to leave the comforts of my pillow. Their nudges are often met with ugly responses that are not befitting a daughter of the King blessed beyond comprehension. This will be one of my first tasks to tackle with a joyful spirit. As I sit here, tired from a day of motherhood, listening to the boys playing on top of the mountain of clothes piled on the couch waiting for me to fold them, I know that the morning will come all too soon. My grins of approval as the boys play nicely, for now, will be replaced with sharp words and gritted teeth when the sun peaks through the makeshift curtains. Of this, I am ashamed.
Likewise, the resentment I sometimes allow to well up inside me when I am faced with the tasks of laundry, picking up toys for the millionth time, or washing the dishes that are taking over the kitchen counters is ridiculous. My heart and mind know that the blessings that cause my cup to continue to overflow are the reasons such "problems" exist.
The laundry, a testament to the vast wardrobe each member of my family owns. Never naked, never too cold, never in less than suitable attire.
The toys, reminders of the number of people that truly love my boys and pour out that love through gifts. And a reminder that both of my boys are healthy enough to play with all of the little, foot-stabbing cars and blocks.
The dishes. Wow! How well we are fed. I cannot remember one time in my life not having food to eat. Not one time.
So, this attitude of gratefulness is what I want to savor in lieu of the ugly complaints and pity-party thoughts that often fill my mind.
May my mind be fixed on joyfulness, gratefulness, and praise. May the tendencies to grumble and complain move further and further from my character as I fix my thoughts on Thee.
Philippians 2:14 says, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." The following verses continue, "so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain."
So, herein lies my challenge, to do everything without grumbling and complaining. I do not see myself as a squeaky wheel or nag, but the room for improvement in this area is drastic.
From the start of my days, I am already in a state of grumbling as the clock wakes me for work or the boys wake me far before my body is ready to leave the comforts of my pillow. Their nudges are often met with ugly responses that are not befitting a daughter of the King blessed beyond comprehension. This will be one of my first tasks to tackle with a joyful spirit. As I sit here, tired from a day of motherhood, listening to the boys playing on top of the mountain of clothes piled on the couch waiting for me to fold them, I know that the morning will come all too soon. My grins of approval as the boys play nicely, for now, will be replaced with sharp words and gritted teeth when the sun peaks through the makeshift curtains. Of this, I am ashamed.
Likewise, the resentment I sometimes allow to well up inside me when I am faced with the tasks of laundry, picking up toys for the millionth time, or washing the dishes that are taking over the kitchen counters is ridiculous. My heart and mind know that the blessings that cause my cup to continue to overflow are the reasons such "problems" exist.
The laundry, a testament to the vast wardrobe each member of my family owns. Never naked, never too cold, never in less than suitable attire.
The toys, reminders of the number of people that truly love my boys and pour out that love through gifts. And a reminder that both of my boys are healthy enough to play with all of the little, foot-stabbing cars and blocks.
The dishes. Wow! How well we are fed. I cannot remember one time in my life not having food to eat. Not one time.
So, this attitude of gratefulness is what I want to savor in lieu of the ugly complaints and pity-party thoughts that often fill my mind.
May my mind be fixed on joyfulness, gratefulness, and praise. May the tendencies to grumble and complain move further and further from my character as I fix my thoughts on Thee.
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