I have finally reached 37 weeks (technically full term, eeek!), which means our third daughter should come sometime within the next few weeks. Words can’t explain how excited I am for this new chapter of our lives and how thankful I am that the Lord has blessed us with another child.
I haven’t always been thankful for children, in fact a few years ago I was very resentful about having them. I would tell my friends that I didn’t want any more and that I was “done!” The problem was not with my children though, I mean sure…. it was difficult having them 17 months a part and trudging through terrible twos with my oldest and sleepless nights with an infant simultaneously, but that truly wasn’t the problem, my heart was the problem. I had bought in to the lies of the world and begun to believe that I was wasting my time at home with kids while other women were out doing more important things like climbing career ladders or chasing their dreams. Boy am I glad the Lord has opened my eyes and changed my heart in such a big way! I am so thankful I never acted on that lie I had believed, that I never put my children in daycare to run off to do these perceived ”more important” things. There were many times I thought about it, and talked it over with my husband, but the Lord led us by His Word and we listened. I repented of my pathetic attitude towards my God-given role as wife and mom and care-taker of my home. My life has changed so much since then, my heart is in such a different place, and I have so much joy serving my family in my home.
I’m so thankful! I know that many women don’t have this option, and that others have bought in to the lies that I was believing and have acted on them and are missing out on this joy that only comes for a short time in our lives. These years that we can bear children and take care of them do go by quickly. Some times the days seem long, but the years truly do go by fast. I pray I will not take this time for granted, and that I will find joy in it, and that I will be faithful in caring for my family and teaching my children the truths in God’s Word all throughout our days together.
I want to ask you sweet readers to pray for me over the next few weeks. Here are a few things you can pray about for me, and I would greatly appreciate it!
1. My mother is going to Cleveland Heart Clinic March 4th and will be having a very serious open heart surgery. She will be there for a few weeks recovering. Because of how my due date falls (March 13) I may not be able to go up and be with her, which I am very sad about. I wish I could be there with her and with my dad and siblings as they all go through this. I know the Lord is with them though, and He is with me. He is sovereign over all of this, and I trust Him and His timing. Please be praying for my mom’s surgery to go well, that the Lord would heal her, that she would have a safe recovery, and most of all that she would be brought close to Him through this. That my family would look to Christ and not to our own wisdom and understanding.
2. Please pray for me in my labor and delivery. I have decided to have a natural un-medicated childbirth (I may talk about this decision in a future blog, but not right now.) With my first two daughters I had an epidural and was induced, I really didn’t even feel much of the labor. Because of this I do not even know what to expect. What I do know is that the Lord made the woman’s body to do this, and that He is more than enough to get me through it. Please just pray for peace and trust in Him throughout that process, and for safety for me and our little daughter on the way.
3. And please pray for our family as we grow from a family of 4 to a family of 5. It is a joyous time, but can also have stresses involved as many of you know. Please just pray for our hearts to remain focused on the Lord and to continue to rejoice in Him and live our lives for Him.
Thank you for your prayers! They are greatly appreciated!
You guys are in our prayers Stacey! It is such a blessing to see how you have grown and literally makes my eyes water up. What a blessing to witness your growth into a true Proverbs 31 woman
Although we don’t get to talk or see each other much anymore, I still cherish the friendship that I have had with you for the past 8 years. So blessed to call you my sister in Christ! Please let us know if we can help you guys out at all! Love you girl!
Thank you! You have been such a blessing to me as well! We really need to make it a point to see eachother again, catch up and praise God for what He is doing in our lives, I’d love to hear what’s going on in your life now! Maybe this summer…. playdates! But if not, I’m thankful for the internet… we can stay in contact here too.
You look so beautiful! I have had 3 natural, unmedicated births, and I want to encourage you that you CAN do it! All of my births have been very different, some harder than others, but God made you to be able to do it. I encourage you to pray during your labor when you can, if you can. I even had my husband pray over me during transition during this last one. I didn’t even hear the prayer because it was so intense, but I have always been thankful he did. I believe asking God to be a part of your birth is so important. It is His blessing anyway. I can’t wait to hear your birth story and see pictures of your little girl! I’m not far behind you
Thank you! I am encouraged when I read your birth stories that you’ve posed on your blog. I have definitely told my husband and my friends and family that will be present with me to be in prayer during that time. I really hope that this will be a time to grown in my dependence on the Lord and trust in Him and His perfect design!
Praying for all your requests. I’m preparing for my 4th child, first natural birth and am 37 weeks as well, so I know how you feel.
Congratulations! Yes, it is a bit scary to do something totally new and different, but I know the Lord wants to use this to grow me and make me more like Him. What an opportunity to lean solely on Him and not ourselves!
Bless You! I “battled” friends, family…. for the “right” to stay home. I was accused of all sorts of things, which was ridiculous. From the moment I had my first baby I wanted to stay home and raise her. Then I became a single mom through divorce and went back to school. Then I gave my life to the Lord and remarried soon after and although at times I worked part time I was always home when the kids were home. I didn’t have to worry about missing games (although it is hard to sit on two or three bleachers at the same time!) – When my eldest was about 28 she wrote me a note thanking me for being there for her when she got home from school, for being at the games – for just being there for her night or day. I knew then I had made the right choice to serve my family. Now I like being available for my grandangels
http://thejoyfulservant.com
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! It is such a blessing when we have the opportunity to be there for our children, I’m sure I will love the same blessing if God ever gives me grand-kids one day as well.
God bless you.
Thank you! I know we all have different experiences and things that shape us, but I really feel like this is the way the Lord has been opening my eyes and making me in to who He wants me to be for His glory.
Congratulations on this upcoming birth
Children are such a blessing…we have four in our home. While it is not always easy, I have found the rewards far outweigh the cost.
Thank you! We are so excited about our growing family and thankful for this blessing from the Lord!
Stacey, I’ll definitely keep you and your family in my prayers. I completely agree with you that God made women’s bodies to have babies, so we can handle it…except in extreme situations. I had a natural birth with my 1st, and God willing, will do it again this summer when baby #2 arrives. Praying strength for you and that the Lord takes away any fears you may have about delivery. Congratulations on this very special time! Babies are such gorgeous blessings. Visiting from We are That Family.
Holding you up in prayer both for your mom as well as your birth. I look forward to hearing about your transition from four to five! Thanks for linking up at Matrimonial Monday.
Pingback: Grace Alone… » Blog Archive Thanksful Thursday ~ Health - Grace Alone...