Give and Take

When you are a new Mama, you make many choices, that are simultaneously selfless and selfish; it's called the 'give and take.'



You must give up your comfort and non-painful self to even endure pregnancy, labor, and birth. But! You get to take in the miracle and joy of feeling that baby inside you for months and months, and then feeling him/her emerge from your body, and then, best of all, feeling that sweet babe in your arms and at your breast for the first time. The giving is worth the taking.



You must give up hours and hours of much needed sleep as you settle into life with a newborn. But! You get to take in all those snuggles and cuddles, that, let's face it, will not last forever, and in fact will dwindle in frequency much quicker than any Mama would choose. This is one of the most painful 'gives,' but all those late night snuggles, rocking sessions and dances somehow make it bearable and worth it.



You must give up some semblance of control over your own body, as you learn to nurse your sweet babe. He or she will seem to be forever at your breast, trying to learn this sweet art of nursing. But! You get to take in the glory of sustaining another life with your own milk. It is truly amazing, rewarding, and well worth it!



You must give up your old life to make room for this new life. Old habits, hobbies, even your old rythym with your spouse, may have to change, be adjusted. But! You get to take in the wonder of having a child, of having had created another human with your spouse and welcoming him or her into your home, into your life - forever. Giving up the old, to welcome the new, definitely worth it.



You must give up your child to the LORD. This is most definitely the hardest 'give,' but the most necessary. As you fall more and more in love with your child, you begin to dream of his or her future. You begin to worry over his or her well-being. You may even begin to fear losing this precious child. Sometimes, as you check to make sure your babe is still breathing for the hundreth time, the fear of the future may consume you. But, if you choose to submit to the Lord's will for your child's life, before you even know what that will is, and if you choose to give your child back to the Lord, acknowledging that this child is first HIS, then you will get to take in the peace that passes all understanding. Until you fully give up your child to the Lord, you will never take in this peace, that as a parent is so necessary if you want to live a life of joy and peace and no -fear, with your child. This give is most definitley the scariest one, because, if you offer your child to the Lord, what if He takes you up on it? But, until you offer your child and surrender your supposed-control over his or her life, you will not have any peace. That peace, which makes you the best parent and witness to your child, is worth the giving, even if it's painful. Look to the Father. He's well aquainted with the giving of a child to take in the peace (in His case, peace for the whole world).



So, I dedicate this post of give and take to my dear sister, Jeni. She is learning all of this as I type. I pray God's peace over her household, especially during this season of infancy. She is already an amazing Mom, and I can't wait to see her continue to develop into the Mama God wants her to be for Cora.



Love you Jeni.



Ruthie :)