Labor, Delivery & New Life

I have always been told that nothing compares to a grandparent's love for their grandchild; a love so profound.  Not having a grandchild yet, it was hard for me to imagine loving anyone "more profoundly" than my own children...

This past Wednesday, my first grandchild, a precious baby girl, was born.  I now understand what many grandmothers before me meant when they described the incredibly special love a grandmother has for her grandchild.    I cannot even put into words the emotion and love I feel for my littlest Angel, a love that is profound because she came from my Angel, my own precious daughter.

I was humbled and filled with joy that my daughter and son-in-law wanted me to be in the labor and delivery room.  Watching my granddaughter be born was one of the biggest blessings and joys of my life!

Spiritual Labor and Delivery

Reflecting upon the incredible experience of  my daughter's labor and delivery process and baby's first days at home, the Lord used those "scenes" to bring lessons from His Word to my heart.

During the delivery stage, the nurses stressed how important it was for my daughter to stay quiet while pushing, to help her focus all of her energy in order to give birth quicker.

Many times in my life, when I have faced frustrations, trials or painful situations,  I will complain, murmur, and fret; either audibly or in my thought process.  There is nothing quiet about it - to those hearing me complain or as my mind races.  It accomplishes nothing...

"Cease striving and know that I am God..."  Psalm 46:10

If I would focus all the energy of complaining, murmuring and fretting into quiet, reflective prayer, I would find wisdom and receive the peace that surpasses all understanding.

 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:7   

In Christ Jesus...  My heart's desire is to seek God always, to "walk in His presence" throughout the day, meditating on His great love for me, an ever present help in times of trouble, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace.  It is then that I will live in the love of Christ and be quieted by His love.

In Christ Alone my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This Cornerstone, This solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My Comforter, my All in All

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Adie Camp

Biblical Childbirth

I had forgotten how the actual birth is quite "violent" even as it brings forth such beauty.

Our Lord Jesus' death on the cross was the epitome of violence, but brought forth the beauty of our redemption, the risen Lord, who sits at the right hand of the Father.

After my granddaughter's birth, the nurse exclaimed, "It's probably a good thing we don't remember what our own birth felt like!"

Definitely true of our first birth!

But we must remember daily the agony of the Cross of Christ which tore the veil making the way for our second birth... so that we could be born again...

But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5

To ponder in awe that we were bought with a great price by Everlasting Love.

Love so amazing so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Isaac Watts

To savor the beauty of our resurrected Lord, who is preparing a place for us in Glory, but is as near to us as our own breath.

New Life in the Word

My granddaughter, like most newborn babies, is still pretty sleepy most of the time and not working very hard to breastfeed. She then gets frustrated and cries frantically even though the milk is right there for the taking.  She will slowly calm down enough to hear the loving, soft spoken words of her momma that everything is okay at which time she relaxes and applies herself to drink in the milk.  A picture of contentment...

Unfortunately, I can lapse into laziness, not diligently seeking the Word, the Bread of Life.  I can go through days frantic, running from activity to activity, spinning my wheels and going nowhere.  Not able to hear God's still small voice saying, "Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

But when I begin my mornings in the Word, the activities of the day go smoother because I have taken nourishment from the Wonderful Words of Life which sustain me no matter what the day ahead may bring. A picture of calmness...

...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.

Adie Camp

Remember, we have the best Coach for our spiritual labor, delivery and new life, the Giver of Life, the Lord Jesus.  

For similar posts, click on the following:

God's Special Promise to Mothers

The Joy of Expecting

14 Promises to Claim this Mother's Day for Every Season of Motherhood

Hannah's Prayer: 7 Important Lessons for Mothers

You might find me on these link-ups:

Grace & Truth, Woman to Woman Ministries, Inspire Me Monday, A Wise Women Builds Her Home, Spiritual Sundays, Soul Survival,  Good Morning Mondays, Tell His Story, Faith & Fellowship Blog Hop,   Tuesday Talk,    Faith 'N Friends,  Sitting Among Friends   House to Home  ,Wonderful Wednesday , Literacy Musings Mondays,Imparting Grace, Dance with Jesus,  Booknificent Thursdays ,  Fresh Market Friday Moments of Hope Wonderful Wednesdays , Tea & Word Tuesday Heart Encouragement Thursday Hearts for Home Messy Marriage Link-up Friday at the Fire Station Link-up Tune In Thursday Faith on Fire Link-up, Sunday Scripture Blessings Link-up, Sunday Thoughts, Writer Wednesday, Faith Filled Friday God Sized Dreams Link-Up Sitting Among Friends Be Thee Inspired Graceful Tuesday Link-up Aprons & Pearls Link-up Trekkingthru Link-up  Encouraging Word Wednesday  Grace Moments Link-up  Encouraging Hearts and Home Worth Beyond Rubies Seeking Sabbath Scripture and a Snapshot IHeart Verse Welcome Heart Kingdom Bloggers Outdoorsy Mommy Anchored Truth Tuesdays IHeart Verse InstaEncouragements

Recharge Wednesdays Kingdom Bloggers