Dear Friends,
I know I don’t often post, but I want to let you know that I do so appreciate all of you who have supported us with prayers and encouraging blog comments over the past many months. We are so very blessed to have you all as friends — even though many of you we have never met face to face.
It seems so amazing to look back at the past year. Just a little over nine months ago we learned that God had answered our prayers for a second child. Little did we know what a journey lay ahead. Now I am writing with Abigail beside me. What a joy it is that God has given us 7 weeks with her!
I never could have guessed what an adjustment there is to being a mother. The first few weeks were so very hard; exhaustion, physical pain, and then the added challenge of postpartum depression. I’ve never felt so low in my life.
One of the verses I had memorized while on bed rest was: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). It was hard for me to accept that this was the path God had allowed. All the heartache, trials, and pain of the last 2 years seemed rolled into one big package weighing on my heart.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God” — accept what He had allowed in my life.
“Casting all your care upon him” — I sure had plenty of that, for there were moments when I found myself nearly paralyzed with fears and anxiety; from concern for Abigail to worrying about the economic stability of nation (and everything in between).
“for he careth for you.” Here was the truth I needed to cling to: God cares for me. He would see me through and give me strength and hope for each new day.
It was so weird to feel so low, when I was experiencing a dream come true! Thankfully, by God’s grace, I am feeling so much better. Now I can look down at our baby girl and with a peaceful heart, rejoice in the gift from God that she is!
I am so grateful for the faithful, loving support that Nathan is for me. He has been so patient, and so faithful to speak truth to me. So many times while I was on bed rest I would tell him, “I think the baby will come soon.” He would simply remind me that the baby needed more time, and, “No, the baby is not coming for a while yet.” That is the kind of support I need — he is so good to keep me on track.
We are so grateful to the Lord for His mercy to us. What a blessing it is that Abigail made it to 34 weeks gestation. She had such a smoother road than if she had been born at 26 weeks (when I first was diagnosed with pre-term labor). He has sustained us and provided for us through all the bumps and turns. Now He has given us a little girl to raise and love. Praise the Lord!
I love being a mommy! What a joy it is to get to walk into the nursery in the morning and greet Abigail — to sit feeding her and get to gaze at her little face and hold her hand — to watch Nathan holding her and talking to her — to watch her Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousin, hold her — and yes, even to be up in the middle of the night pacing the floor singing to her. What a joy it is to have a daughter!
I know that there are many people with challenges of their own right now. Some may be experiencing what we have gone through: infertility, the loss of a child, complicated pregnancy, hospital time – or many other challenges that are part of life on this earth. I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be your comfort and your strength, and that you will be able to humble yourself under His hand, throwing down your fears and worries at His feet, gaining a peaceful heart, knowing that God cares for you and lead see you safely through!
Resting in Christ,
Melanie
