A month ago my mind was filled with the normal concerns of a first-time mom anticipating the arrival of her little one. In the weeks following, my expectations for what my baby's birth and new life would look like were being stripped away, one at a time - or a handful at a time, depending on the day. I'll spare you the details. Perhaps it's simply the already overwhelming unknowns for a FTM, but that's hard. It's difficult to stand by as the hope for some sense of normalcy disappears. To listen at your appointments as everything gets laid out on "how it is going to be". To be told the possibilities of your baby being quarantined away from you as soon as she's born if you caught the virus, the precautions you're expected to follow, all the while knowing the reality of people who don't care. These are moments you can't get back. You can't post-pone or reschedule pregnancies. These babies are coming whether the world is ready or not. But I know I am not alone in that. Many of y'all are also expecting soon, planning future weddings, were counting down the days until graduations, or otherwise missing out on the "normal, expected, exciting" moments. We all know this, we are living in a weird (for lack of a better word) time in which the world seems to have gone crazy. A viral pandemic has caused personal hygiene product shortage, empty grocery store shelves, overall panic and fear, job loss, educational system collapse... all in the matter of a few weeks. I think it is so easy to look around and start listing off things that this season of life has taken from us. It's so easy to only see our disappointments and loss through it. It's not a bad thing to be disappointed. I'm not trying to diminish whatever moment's importance. Just don't stay there too long or you'll miss the blessings that have come through it. Personally, a world-wide pandemic has given me rest. Sure, sleep... pregnancy has not been kind to me... but it's also taught me how to rest. I like being productive and busy. This time has forced me to learn to rest not only physically, but also shown me ways I need to rest in Him. A time like this forces you to re-evaluate what is important, and brought a renewed sense of gratitude for many things I often took for granted. Like seeing my kid's faces frequently, social interaction, the freedom to go to the store, tacos, and toilet paper. (Seriously, the introvert in me is ready to hug everyone I see. ;)). Read Psalm 46. It doesn't matter what may happen in the world, or what may shake up YOUR world, we have a changeless God Who is still in control. I don't know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow, and I know Who holds my hand. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
Motherhood. Ministry. Missions. Archives
January 2023
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