He will grow up...

I tried to put aside my "to-do" list and sat down in the rocking chair

with my little boy cuddled in my arms.

We shared some sweet moments as lullabies played.

As his eyelids began to droop, I stroked his baby-soft thighs.

His fat fingers clutched my shirt and he fell asleep.

I could not stop staring at his precious face,

and I choked back tears.

Because this is the easy part.

I know, mothering a young toddler is exhausting and demanding,

but it is simple.

There will come a day when he will have to deal with difficult and painful things,

because we live in a sin-cursed world.

As I thought of pain or trial coming to my boy,

my heart grew heavy.

I cannot pray that God will spare him from pain or difficulty,

for God uses those things to build character and help us to trust Him.

And it may be those things that lead Jonah to trust in Jesus Christ

for forgiveness of his sins.

But I can and will pray that God will be with him,

that God will protect and preserve him from every side,

that He will make Jonah into a strong godly young man,

and that God will help me to be a kind, patient, godly mommy to him.

I cannot hold onto him as a baby forever.

Before I know it he will be playing soccer, having sleepovers, climbing trees,

and then going off to college and getting married!

So how thankful I am that God hears my prayers for my son,

and that I can entrust this little boy to God's care.

Merry Motherhood...

All my life I dreamed of being a mommy. My sister and I spent countless hours feeding, rocking, changing, and caring for our baby dolls. We thought up names for our future babies, and of course spent lots of time taking care of real babies...whether they were our brothers or babies from church.

When I got married to my dear husband, we prayed for children. The road to parenthood took longer than we had hoped, and involved lots of tears as we endured a loss and some waiting. But then, our hearts were filled with joy at the conception and birth of our precious baby, Jonah.

Now we are parents.

There are days when motherhood is fun, exciting, and so full of joy. Preparing for the birth and homecoming of your firstborn...well, there is probably nothing like that! Then you bring your newborn home and your sleepy days are filled with cuddling, dressing, nursing, rocking, and soaking in that sweet-smelling little baby! As your baby grows, there are new joys each day as they discover the world around them and reach those exciting milestones.

Then there are days that motherhood is exhausting, frustrating, or sad. Your little one is sick, and you wish you could bear the pain and discomfort for them as you try to soothe with rocking, singing, cuddling, or even medication. Or as your baby grows, that sin nature reveals itself and you find yourself crying out to God for wisdom to train that never-dying soul and point your little one to Christ. Or teeth are coming through, and you are up in the wee hours for several nights, praying for strength to make it through the next day's tasks of cleaning, caring for a home and family, and giving your baby the love and attention they need.

It is in those times that I remember the words of a revered Pastor:

"Bein' a Mama aint all coos and gurgles.'"

No, it is not. And I speak as an inexperienced parent, only being a mommy for less than a year. I'm sure there are many dark and tiring days ahead.

BUT, despite the circumstances, whether they are joyful or sad, easy or frustrating, exhilerating or tiring, motherhood is a blessing. For, as the Lord says, "Children are a gift from the Lord." Even in the difficult times, one look at that little one, one moment of having them reach up their hands to be picked up, one slobbery baby kiss, one moment of snuggling, makes it all worth it.

And what an awesome privilege and responsibility, to have the job of molding and nurturing a human life, a mind, body and soul created by God. To be entrusted with a precious child...to instruct them in God's Word and ways, to sing to and love and cherish, to teach them the difference between right and wrong, to shepherd their hearts.

The road will not always be happy or easy, but God will always be there to give wisdom and grace and strength.

How thankful I am to be a mommy.

How good God is.