Purty Pitchers

I can't believe Sarah slept through berry picking.  I was on my hands and knees.  Jay clued into "pick it" and also wanted to "eat it".   His legs got a little pink, but we had a good time.  What's the best is that we got to go with two neighbors and their toddlers.  Last year, I was too timid to invite anyone to go with me, and we missed out on strawberry season.  Here's to spring and putting down roots.

What I Needed to Tell Myself

It's about 10 p.m. Friday night and I've sat down on the couch to write a short devotional to the newest parents-to-be in our extended family.  I've been in the car with young children for about 3 hours earlier in the day.  Need to get us all up and out the door by 8 a.m. the next morning.  Still have clothes to iron.  My man and I are in the grumps.  What can I possibly say to encourage this couple when I'm so frazzled?

I have a verse, John 15:5-- the vine and the branch.  Since I'm running on empty, it certainly applies.  Suffice to say, it was exactly what I needed to hear.  And how I want to be.

Becoming a Parent

John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

This verse came to mind immediately as I thought about what to say to encourage you as new parents.

Conceiving, carrying, and delivering a baby is an awesome wonder. Holding that new baby for the first time, reaching the finish line of your pregnancy, becoming a family unit—your life changes in a moment. In some ways, loving your baby is effortless.

It’s the day to day that is not. Some days are hard. You’re not sure if the baby is hungry, sleepy, or uncomfortable, and the crying stabs at your heart and strips your nerve endings. Other times it’s the chaos of home life: mountains of dirty bottles and clothes. The frustration of a drastically altered body. And all the time, you could do with a little nap.

This is why God instructs us to abide in Him. He wants to redeem every thing in our lives, most especially our relationships. Outside of relationship with Himself and our spouse, relationship with our child is of utmost importance. If we go too far one way, we can make our child our God. If we go another way, we can make our child our peer and lose their respect. We can fall into passivity, apathy, or overindulgence—sometimes all in the same day.

In Jesus’ hands, the circumstances of our lives are safe. All he asks us to do is stick with Him and not give up. Though it is easy to get discouraged by the exhaustion of caring for a young child while trying to provide for a family and nurture a marriage, God does not want us to live in survival mode. He came to bring us life to the full, bearing much fruit. I say this as much for you as for myself. I often find myself in survival mode when I know there is so much more that He offers.

My charge to you is to take advantage of any spare moment, whether it’s a sleepless night due to trips to the bathroom at regular intervals, or your 5 a.m. feeding. Those are the moments that God is wooing you to remain in Him. You will find Him there. And when you find Him, lavish His love all over that sweet baby you carry. You’ll fall in love all over again with both of them.

Trial and Error

So, I've learned to do grocery shopping alone at night or early a.m. Saturday.  Had to learn the hard way that this also applies to any errands plural.  One stop errands are manageable-- we did Target for almost an hour last week and emerged unscathed.  Today, though, I had to make two quick stops.  Had to give Jay a cookie, my necklace, and watch to appease him.  He's not 100% (I eventually dragged my pillow to his bed last night because he kept waking up).  Fed Sarah in the car, but she was WAILING at the checkout line.  Those baby seats get so warm underneath their head. 

On the positive side: Sarah slept 10-6:30!  Wonderful especially with big brother up and down all night.  I also pulled out the bouncy activity seat.  Can't believe she's big enough for it.  Her spindly little legs almost touch the bottom.  Jay loves to play with the baby toys.  Have to make sure he doesn't slam her in the face with 'em!  3 month pics and bouncy seat pics to come.

I've just polished off some Doritos, so my nerves are somewhat soothed. 

Laundry: it's on.

Easter

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

From "In Christ Alone"
by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend (2002)

He is Alive!