Labor, Delivery & New Life

Baby Lamb wearing a baby's shirt standing in a field of dry, tan grass



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



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Comments

  1. karen, i enjoyed your post:) congrats on that new grandbaby:) blessings as she settles into life outside the womb where it is cold and sometimes lonely, but where her family adores her:)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      Indeed we do!

      It was a blessing to have you visit! :-)

      Delete
  2. Congratulations on becoming a grandmother! How fortunate she is to have godly grandparents to guide and influence her as she grows and develops :).

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! We are enjoying her so much! Such a blessing!

      And thank you for your kind words.

      Delete
  3. How much more centered my life would be if I just lived in Psalm 46:10. Just still. Congrats on the new grand baby :) Visiting from Women with Intention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      It was a blessing to have you visit. :-)

      Delete
  4. My daughter is 2 days overdue with her first child today. Our anticipation of the upcoming birth makes this post so powerful. Your analogies before physical and spiritual new birth really speak to my heart. Thank you so much!

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    Replies
    1. Oh how exciting!

      Thank you for your kind words.

      It was a blessing to have you visit :-)

      Delete
  5. Congratulations on your new precious grandbaby! I enjoyed reading of your excitement and blessing! Following you at The Weekend Brew.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much!

      And thank you for stopping by. :-)

      Delete
  6. Congratulations! What a joy and what profound words to share through the process of labor and delivery. I love the reference to "In Christ Alone" as your prayer for your granddaughter. Love that song! Barbie and I are blessed you linked up to The Weekend Brew.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind words!

      A blessing to have you stop by. :-)

      Delete
  7. Replies
    1. Thank you! Praising God for His leading.

      I have been blessed by your visit. :-)

      Delete
  8. Grandchildren are a great blessing, and it is wonderful that we continue to learn through them. I, too, have been blessed in attending the births of my grandchildren. Congratulations!

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    Replies
    1. Oh how wonderful for you too!

      Thank you for visiting! :-)

      Delete
  9. Congratulations on being a grandmother! What a remarkable lesson the Lord taught you in all this that you share with us. Thank you for linking this with us at Grace & Truth!

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    1. Thank you!

      And thank you for your kind words!

      Happy Easter!

      Delete
  10. Congrats on becoming a grandma! I am years away from this, as I just became a mother myself. However, I've still learned so much about the Lord from my little one.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for visiting!

      And congratulations on entering the sisterhood of mommas! :-)

      The Lord is so wonderful in all the means He uses to teach us His ways. :-)

      Delete

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