The worst that could happen

We are moms. We worry.

We worry about everything. Is the house clean enough, are the kids healthy, will our husbands always love us, what will happen if he loses his job, what we'll make for dinner tomorrow, do people like us, and does our hairstyle makes our foreheads look big?

Now let's take a minute and think clearly about The Truth.

What is the worst that could happen?

We could suffer. People we love could suffer.

For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ, you should not only believe in him but also suffer. Philippians 1:29

Consider it pure joy, my brothers when you face trials of all kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

We worry that people we love will suffer, which is a gift from God that actively makes these people that we love more like Christ.

Still worried?

We could die. Someone we love could die.

If that "dying" person is a believer, here's what we're worrying about:

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5

We worry that we or our fellow believers will die, which is the path to a perfect-in-every-way-can't-be-any-better, eternal life with Jesus Christ.

Still worried?

We worry that if we die, our families will suffer too much.

We already know about suffering. What about the idea that we're giving ourselves a little too much credit? We're saying that our families just won't be able to live without us? It will just be too hard? God needs us? Let's get real. God created the world with a few words. Seems like He might not need our help.

Still think you're that important to the well-being of your families?

We worry that we might lose our husband's love.

When the LORD saw that Leah was not loved, He opened her womb. Genesis 29:31

A child. That's what Leah wanted more than anything. That's what she got when the LORD saw that she was not loved. God showed His love in the best way He could to Leah.

Can being loved by many people cloud our vision of God's love for us? Perhaps. Not necessarily.

So, like Leah, if we are not loved by our husbands, that can amplify our perception of God's love for us because of the work He will do.

Still worried?

Then keep reminding yourself of The Truth.

Newborns

Any day now there will be a newborn in our home. Believe it or not, we're ready! At least mentally and emotionally, anyway!

Babywise by Gary Ezzo, recommended by many, many friends of ours, is why we're ready. I guess we're extra-ready - we've implemented it once before.

Here's a short review of what's going to happen in our lives with a newborn...

1. birth the baby (who instantly starts to lose weight after leaving the womb, I suppose)

2. feed the baby as soon as he's clean

3. wake up the baby 3 hours later and feed him again*

4. Repeat step 3 until he's back up to his birth weight - at least a few days, maybe a week or more.

* Feed the baby until he's full - NOT until he falls asleep! Wake that kid up if he falls asleep nursing and make him eat a meal!

Step 1, not so bad. Step 2, a wonderful experience. Steps 3 and 4, much, much harder.

Mentally, we’re ready – we know what actions we’re going to take.

Emotionally, we’re ready – we are excited about a new member of the family finally joining us!

Spritually, we’re not ready – yet! Time to get ready.

We will fight our flesh with the Word of God to make it through Steps 3 and 4. Steps 3 and 4 will present the following challenges, which will be met with the following truths:

Challenge: Feeling like a failure because nursing is difficult

Truth: My value is not based on whether or not I can nurse. My value is based on who I am in Christ. I am God’s daughter! Romans 8:16 says "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children."

Challenge: Feeling irritable about setting the alarm clock for 4:00 am when it just went off at 1:00 am and it’s already 2:30 am and we’re just getting back to bed.

Truth: We are choosing to schedule feedings (which is not a biblical principle) because of advice we received and applied with our older child and it just happened to work with him. We are presenting ourselves with the challenge of not getting irritated. Here's how we're going to use the Word to defend ourselves: Remember that God is sovereign (see Ezekial to really rub that in) – in complete control of everything – and works all things to make us more Christ-like. Romans 8:28-29 says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Let's watch God work and praise Him!

Challenge: My relationship with my husband is going to suffer because of the feeding schedule.

Truth: My husband will be very involved in the feedings even though I am nursing. God has joined us together. Genesis 2:23-24 says "The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman,'
for she was taken out of man."

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." We are one flesh! We are together. Even if he is not physically standing next to me, he is on my side, supporting me in prayer and in his actions to make sure we feed our baby when he needs to be fed.