(3 weeks old)
(15 months old)I feel as though 90% of the advice given to me as a mom doesn’t make sense until after the said event has already occurred. Like when people tell you to “just enjoy” the newborn phase, while you’re totally sleep deprived and wondering what in the world hit you. But I tried my best to enjoy it (and actually, I did truly enjoy it) and only once your baby stops making the most adorable pursed lips faces and little squeaky newborn sounds, then you realize..wow that really didn’t last very long. And wow, it was such a treasure, and such moments to be enjoyed.
And I never understood why people always said “you’re growing up too fast!” Because I love watching Layla grow up and become more of a communicator and expressive and display her personality. But then yesterday walking back home down the street with a screaming toddler who is just upset out of her mind that mommy won’t let her steal the ball from the store….well, that’s when I’m like, gee, I wish you couldn’t walk still or have opinions and that you would just sit in my sling and look adorable.
That being said, I choose to love this stage, despite (and perhaps because of its) own particular challenges (and joys) and “treasure up these things in my heart” because it really is a beautiful journey.
There’s been this defiant cold going around our house for the past two months, morphing with each of us as it conquers our immune system and then proceeding on to the next until it gets back to the first in new form and takes us down yet again. I am so ready for our home to be symptom-free SOON please!
Of course, wrestling with a prolonged cold is nothing compared to fighting cancer or enduring other forms of suffering. Nonetheless, I am inspired by a friend who loves Jesus, whose son has endured a lot of hospital visits due to the poor conditions of his bones. She put it this way: “Somehow the struggles and suffering we endure is actually a way of God showing us His love and care in fulfilling His promise that He will always be with us.”
What a testimony.
God is faithful even when He allows us to remain in sickness, and He is worthy of praise. He also is faithful when He heals us. And I have a brief story to share on that note.
This is actually the second time this has happened to me. Yesterday I was out watching Layla play, trying not to be miserable because my body ached so bad from the cold. Praying, asking our God who heals to give me strength and fresh energy for the day ahead. Choosing to praise His name in my heart regardless of whether I would feel better or not. As I was sitting there on the pavement, watching Layla push her toy car around and shake her head “no, no” at the strong wind blowing her face, all of a sudden I just felt this surge of energy and strength come on me. The closest thing I can think to describe it is as if I had touched Jesus’ cloak as in the stories of old, and strength and healing coursed through my body. It’s the craziest thing, but so so real. This has happened to me once before, where the raw power of Christ our Healer is so tangible in my own body as He strengthens me. It’s amazing.
So I just want to testify to the goodness and power of God. And say that prayer is powerful because it is communion with God, because it takes us into His throne room and allows us to directly talk with Him. And because He is good, and He longs to bless us and to teach us good things. What a good God we worship.
