| If I could sum up parenthood in one word, it would be “surrender”. The act of surrender begins in pregnancy. It’s challenging to not try to control all the changes and outcomes. The unknown. The waiting. It intensifies the last few weeks as we prepare for baby’s arrival. Letting go of deadlines, dates, and expectations. Surrendering to our baby and God’s perfect timing. It peaks during birth as the contractions are relentless. Like a train coming towards us and we can’t get off the tracks. Nothing and no one can stop it. And then the baby is here. And a new phase of surrendering begins. Is the baby okay? Are we doing this right? Will we get to sleep tonight? Once again, we find ourselves letting go of deadlines, dates, and expectations. Putting personal to-do lists on the back burner and holding all external commitments loosely. Maybe this is why parenthood is so beautiful. This constant act of surrendering. This daily practice of faith. We surrender ourselves, over and over again, so we can stand back in awe at the faithfulness of our God. |
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Birth is not only about making babies
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers — strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.”
—Barbara Katz Rothman
It’s important that we pay attention to what’s showing up for us during pregnancy and birth. Even while trying to conceive. The journey of motherhood is a spiritual one first and foremost. As we begin this journey, many things rise to the surface within us. Examples might include; finding our voice, setting boundaries, learning patience, trusting our gut, standing in our truth, surrendering, or receiving help. All things designed to better equip us for the other side of birth.
See, where there is birth there is also death. And as the Mother, you are no longer who you once were. You can never go back to your old self. That self has to die in order for this one to be born anew. And with that birth, everything shifts. Your perspective. Your priorities. Your relationships…
Resistance to this transformation can be painful. It’s better to honor and trust the cycles of life. To surrender to what is. More to come…
Surrender (A Poem)
A milk has gone bad, throw it away.
Your tires are flat, switch them up.
No need to complain or make sense of these things
All that you’ve done is enough.
A lover has left, let them go free.
Wages were lost, look for more.
No need to dwell or make sense of these things
Resistance can be quite the bore.
Surrender to what is,
then do what you can.
There’s no need to ask,
“Why must this occur?”
For all that you need
is right where you stand.
And you can’t fathom Ways
that are higher than yours.
It’s Not Enough to Believe in Jesus
You say that you believe in Jesus. But that’s not enough. Even the demons believe in Jesus.
It is your faith that makes the difference. Surrendering your soul to Him, and clinging to Him for your life.
Belief without such full surrender is demonic faith. And those with demonic faith will end with a demonic fate.
Why I Need Jesus
Jesus guides me. He is the way, the truth, and the life. I am convinced that if left unguided, my thought process would no doubt drive me right into the ground. Or crash me into concrete. Surrendering to God, allowing Jesus to take the wheel, doesn’t diminish me to nothing, as one might suspect. No, in fact, I’ve noticed the more I surrender to God, the more He blooms me more solidly into myself.