It's been almost 2 months now. I have to admit - motherhood is not as easy as I imagined it to be. There were the harrowing 1st 2 days when Sarah cried her eyes out leaving me lost and wondering, there were the struggles of feeding a hungry baby, there was the deluge of advice from well meaning folks and there were struggles between privacy of adjustment [mother and child] and the public outpouring of love in visitation and advice. Looking back - I think these situations though trying, have raised my threshold a few notches - and I believe it is God's way of building His children's character.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5
Motherhood or parenthood for that matter is really a ministry. Sure, a baby is adorable, cute and lovable - but along with the cute package comes the baby's crying [sometimes bawling], the baby's loose stools that sometimes squirts out onto your clothings if you are not careful, the baby's total disregard for day and night and schedules etc... Looking at the pictures of Sarah, I am sure you would agree with me that motherhood brings much unspeakable joy. But what makes it a full and complete ministry are the difficulties that comes along with it. And as a mother, I can and must do all to the glory of God - even the diaper changing.
This is a photo of Sarah throwing a fit [tears all included]. This is the real, complete ministry of motherhood. Babies are not always picture perfect cos they are born sinners like us. But God loves children and He came to save them. May Sarah come to know the Lord at a young age.
p/s - Can't wait to show Sarah this when she grows up.
Throughout these past 7 weeks, I have come to learn again that the key and success to parenthood is not just about understanding your baby’s idiosyncrasies, habits and patterns; it is not just about training the little one; it is not just about establishing a routine; it is not just about mastering skills of diapering, bathing, feeding etc. Don’t get me wrong – as you can see that all the above mentioned are necessary to motherhood and mastering them really makes life easier.
But the key to parenthood is truly to LOVE God.
And to LOVE God is to KNOW God.
A simple truth but it was often easily lost amidst trying circumstances – for me it was baby’s Sarah’s cries, her packed schedule, her sleepless days as well as mommy’s-trying-to-grapple-with-motherhood-process. I am thankful for my husband who saw through all of the chaos and busy-ness and sat me down one evening and got my bearings in order. This truth may seem detached to parenthood but truly when we seek God, all other things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:23. When I started reading the book of Deuteronomy many months back, it was with hopes of knowing what I needed to impart to Sarah. While that was most useful and even commendable, I failed to read God’s word to simply KNOW God more. Knowing God was the key to successful parenthood. Strange as it may sound but it enables us to LOVE Him and to TRUST Him in whatever trying circumstances we might find ourselves in. The added bonus in Deuteronomy is that it is a book that demonstrates God’s love – a book for us to understand how loving a parent God is to the nation of Israel and that is He is the epitome of the ideal loving Father.
But the key to parenthood is truly to LOVE God.
And to LOVE God is to KNOW God.
A simple truth but it was often easily lost amidst trying circumstances – for me it was baby’s Sarah’s cries, her packed schedule, her sleepless days as well as mommy’s-trying-to-grapple-with-motherhood-process. I am thankful for my husband who saw through all of the chaos and busy-ness and sat me down one evening and got my bearings in order. This truth may seem detached to parenthood but truly when we seek God, all other things will be added unto you. Matthew 6:23. When I started reading the book of Deuteronomy many months back, it was with hopes of knowing what I needed to impart to Sarah. While that was most useful and even commendable, I failed to read God’s word to simply KNOW God more. Knowing God was the key to successful parenthood. Strange as it may sound but it enables us to LOVE Him and to TRUST Him in whatever trying circumstances we might find ourselves in. The added bonus in Deuteronomy is that it is a book that demonstrates God’s love – a book for us to understand how loving a parent God is to the nation of Israel and that is He is the epitome of the ideal loving Father.
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with and your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deut 6: 4
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