Saturday, August 27, 2016

ANTICIPATING BABY

My lovely sweet Lauren is expecting. Sweet baby will be arriving soon. I was honoured to share a few words at her baby shower.


"Well, Lauren, I would like to say that this whole situation is making me feel extremely old, even though I know that I have been one of your “moms” for a number of years.  I remember shy, little Lauren sitting quietly in the corner of the couch in the farmhouse, preferring to fade into the background rather than jump into the spotlight. I was honoured to capture precious moments of the day you said “I do” and I am privileged to stand here today and say “Welcome to Motherhood”!

From the day you learned you were expecting this sweet little peanut, until, well... forever, your life will never be the same. You have added a distinction and a responsibility. You are a mother.

I have been pondering Psalm 139:13, a fair bit lately. It says,

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

We often focus on the beginning of the verse but I would like to take a moment to focus on the last three words. “My mother’s womb”. Not any mother’s womb. My mother’s womb. The Creator of the Universe has knit your son together in YOUR womb. He purposed that this boy, should have YOU as his mom. What an awesome trust (and I am sure a bit overwhelming). Motherhood is an incredible journey. A blessing beyond what you can imagine.

But as a mother, there will be THOSE days, (don’t worry, we all have them) when you feel unfit, unworthy and like you are totally screwing this up. In the midst, do not forget that GOD handpicked you to be his mom.

When the enemy whispers lies like “you can’t do this” and “you’re not good enough”, remember that God did not make a mistake. You are not perfect but you are  the perfect mother for your son. There are things that you need to teach him and there are things that he needs to teach you!

We have this mistaken idea that children are born as a blank slate and everything about them is learned behaviour and under the influence of environment and circumstance. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”

God not only formed us, he KNEW us. He knew your son before he was formed! He isn’t a blank slate, he is a child who was and is known by the Creator! He has been formed with a distinct personality and with talents. God has a plan and a purpose for him. Things that only he can bring to your family. Things that only he can do in this world. He comes with 9 months of womb experience and though we minimize the importance of these months for emotional and mental development, it is during this time that he begins bonding with you. Being intimately in tune with your body’s rhythm and recognizing your voice and moods and stress levels.

Charlotte Mason, an English Educator, liked to say “Children are born persons”. I like that. We need to respect the personhood, of every human even a baby. Remember “A person’s a person no matter how small!”

Psalm 8:2 says “Through the praise of children and infants
   you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
   to silence the foe and the avenger.”

There is some serious power that comes through the praise of a child and Jesus uses children to teach us lessons. The boy with the loaves and the fish, the children he healed - from sickness and evil spirits. The children he raised from the dead - the widow’s son, Jairus’ daughter.. The children who joined the crowds and waved palm branches and sang “hosanna” as he entered Jerusalem. The children who ran to him, though the disciples tried to discourage them, Jesus welcomed them.

Your son will have things to teach you. Be willing to listen and learn. But you have the grand privilege to introduce him to the Saviour, to the Creator, who knew him and knit him together.

The most important job you have is to teach him about his sin and the Saviour that pours out grace in abundance, even on little boys.

Introduce him to the Saviour but don’t stop there.

I love the picture of  Psalm 84:3

“Even the sparrow has found a home,
   and the swallow a nest for herself,
   where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
   Lord Almighty, my King and my God.”
Set up your nest. You home. Your place near the altar of the Lord. A safe place. A place of worship .A place where the sacrifice for sin is not forgotten but celebrated.

How do you do that?

In Deuteronomy we are encouraged

“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.”

Instill in your home a love for the word of God. Hang it on your walls. Read it out loud.  Sing it. Play it. Pray it. Not just on Sundays and mid week meetings. Not just at meals and bedtime but make stopping and praying a habit whenever there is a need or an opportunity arises to approach the throne of grace. Make worship a part of your everyday. Take opportunities to serve and as your son grows, give him opportunities to serve with you. Even little things are a blessing.

He is your mission field. He is the “nations” of which you were called to preach the gospel and make disciples. Preach the gospel to him. Make sure he hears it and understands it. Live the Gospel with him. Let your son see the passion of your love for the Lord in you. everyday.

But even in the midst of this. There will be THOSE days. When you feel alone and forgotten and abandoned. When no one does anything right and they certainly don’t understand.

Isaiah 40:11 reminds us
“He tends his flock like a shepherd:
   He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
   he gently leads those that have young.”

Remember this. You are not alone. Your Saviour has promised to never leave you or forsake you. He is gently leading you. He knew your son before He formed him. He knew you before He formed you. Nothing in you is a mystery to him. He knows all of your ins and outs, your strengths and weaknesses. And He chose you for this special purpose.

Not to forge out on your own but with Bradley and with Him, along with your little man. The three of you figuring this out together seeking to be led by the Great Shepherd.

So when sleep is fleeting and a shower is a luxury. When using the bathroom without an audience feels like a miracle. When the laundry piles rival Mount Everest and a meal could be eaten from the remains on the kitchen floor. When it all looks daunting and there seems to be no end in sight, remember these words and cling to the truths found in scripture:

You are chosen for this divine purpose by the God who knows you and has fully equipped you.

He walks with you and is leading you with your little mission field, every day.

So build your nest near the altar of the Lord. Dwell in his presence, trust Him and rest in this new role of “mom”.


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I am the very blessed wife of my best friend. The humble mother of five precious children. Walking a life-road that is more amazing than I could ever imagine.