Let's call it as it is. Being a mom is one of the toughest and most thankless jobs. Having done so much, no one has seen it. How often people stop to thank you when everything goes according to plan.
We've been expecting a lot of insights from Pastor Joanna over the years, but today, we're asking her to boil it down to three things she wants her to know as a new mom. The following insights come from Pastor Joanne.
1) Change is constant.
Change is constantly happening, both in your child and in you. Every time you get used to your kids in some way they change. It's like once you put the baby part down, they start walking and crawling. Some of their first words are "mom" or "dad" and it fills your heart with joy, and then they get old and use... Not so cute word.
But it's not just your children, by parenting, you change. Your body, your emotions, your desires and dreams can be (and probably!). Change because it's no longer about you! Every day is different, with its own blessings and challenges. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 begins by declaring, "There is a regularity in all things, and there is a time for all things under heaven." I know we don't see much change in the seasons in California, but people tell me that winter (at least elsewhere) should be cold. If there's one thing you can rely on in the parenting process, it's that it changes. The change is as certain as the seasons (well, at least in other parts of the country).
2) There is no "normal".
Anyway, what does normal mean? Are we based on scientific statistics, or social standards, or are we comparing people in our circle of friends? When your child is born, you will receive all of these "milestones" that your child is expected to reach at a specific age. When they should crawl, walk, or talk. When they grow up, they should read, write their names, write stories, or ride bicycles. As teenagers, when do they have their first girlfriend or boyfriend, when they get their first job, pass their first AP course, or get on the school team.
If we judge, pressure, or compare our children based on any of these milestones, we may put unnecessary pressure on ourselves or our children. Normal is subjective and is
Psalm 139:14 reminds us, "I am wonderfully and fearfully created. If your child never walks or talks because of a health condition, they are still outstanding. God created each child unique, and no matter the milestones they reach or miss, they are terrible and wonderful. We need to believe God's Word instead of trying to meet some sort of "normal" standard.
3) You are enough.
While taking my first child to the hospital, I was faced with a direct challenge. My oldest child had a hard time settling in, he didn't eat or sleep. I don't know if he's hungry or tired or out of breath (or all of the above!). ）。 As a new mom, I asked for help and I wanted to see if the nurse could help reassure my son. The nurse told me to do "skin to skin" and my baby rested right next to my heart. Immediately calm him down and we can all rest.
All my son needed was to be close to me. I was what he needed.
The best thing we can give our children is ourselves, our existence.
The number of toys, vacations, or rooms in your home can never replace what your child needs for you. They don't need anything else. Only you. The same goes for our relationship with God, Who just wants you! He will spend his parenting journey with you.
After all, at the end of the day, aren't we all children of the Heavenly Father? Whether we realize it or not, what we need is to be close to Him. What my son and I learned in the hospital, I still learn with God in my life. So, be encouraged and you're enough.
For those moms, which of these three do you need to hear the most today?