He Holds Us Close [Choosing Joy]

Even if you tied my arm behind my back, there are lots of things that I could still do one handed.  But if instead of tying that arm you put a sleeping baby in it, my abilities are severely limited.  I have found that the laundry just has to wait because I cannot reach far enough into the washer to transfer the wet clothes to the dryer while holding a baby.  Despite my best efforts to juggle my baby and brush my teeth, I still manage to jostle her awake while brushing and get toothpaste in my hair when I spit.  I can’t even write this blog with baby on my shoulder.  The hinges on this laptop are so tight that I have to use two hands to open it.  Many great blog ideas are dreamed up while rocking my baby and so many of them will never come to fruition because by the time I can get to the computer, I can’t recall them.

But, you know what, even though my life isn’t as “productive” as I’d like these days, my work is so very precious.  I spend a lot of time on the couch, in the rocking chair, out on the swing, with a sweet little face pressed against my neck.  And if that means that the laundry has to be washed twice because it got stinky sitting in the washer, or I have to skip brushing my teeth this time, or I have to wait until late in the evening when my husband is holding the baby to write my blog, I am more than okay with that.

This week, two of my cousins are suffering impossible losses.  One cousin sits in the NICU beside her sweet baby boy born last week with irreparable brain damage.  The other cousin prepares for a memorial for her sweet son that was born last week already in Heaven.  Neither one of them is able to hold their babies tonight.  In this situation, I feel like both my arms are tied behind my back, and all I can do is cherish the opportunity to hold my sweet baby close and pray.

Father God, I praise You for the joys and pains of motherhood.  No other relationship teaches us more about Your love.  I ask that You comfort us all tonight with a flood of unspeakable peace no matter our circumstances.  Empower us to keep on loving just like You always do.        Amen.