I love reading all the blogs and memes about the differences between the first and second pregnancies. As I am currently halfway through my second pregnancy, I’m finding so much of people’s thoughts on the matter to be true! Sometimes I even forget another child will be joining us in a few short months! As I sit and reflect on what I’ve learned through my first few years of parenting my heart is finding a different way to prepare for little sister.
With my first pregnancy, I was obsessed with reading about the physical care of babies. I read huge books cover to cover about pregnancy and child development. At night, I stayed up late reading blog after blog about sleeping habits and feeding schedules. I browsed countless product reviews and thought meticulously over every item I put on our baby registry. I was completely consumed with the changes about to take place. As I look back on that time, I wish I’d directed my focus a little differently. Sure, the research I did was helpful, but I wish I’d tended to my spiritual life a little more.
When a baby arrives, time stands still.
Nothing else seems to matter like it did before. I was running on adrenaline from the thrill of witnessing new life in my arms. With feedings throughout the night, bottles to wash, and stains to scrub out of little clothes, it can be hard to make time for Jesus. When your husband goes back to work and the family visits are over, it can feel lonely to be at home on your own. You watch the world go by and you are on your couch watching Netflix as you nurse your baby, wondering how life changed so quickly. I loved motherhood and I embraced all the little wonders of the moment, but I still had these realities distracting me, keeping me from Jesus.
This pregnancy started down a similar path. I found myself beginning to obsess over the little things and actually felt restless because I didn’t have as much to discover this time around. I didn’t want to spend my whole pregnancy that way.
Taking a Different Approach
So I’m focusing on Jesus. It isn’t easy with a toddler to love on and care for, but I want to spend as much time in my Bible and in prayer that I can before our baby girl gets here. I want my spiritual cup to be full and ready for the changes that are coming my way. I want to be so delighted in my Savior that I naturally embrace this pregnancy, the long summer days at home with my older daughter, and evenings with my husband, because they are gifts from Him.
Quiet time with the Lord is crucial in all phases of life.
As mothers, we need a strength and mindset that can only come from the Lord, so it is very important that we not neglect our spiritual life. There are so many ways we can turn our focus as we prepare for a new baby, but our best focus is on Christ.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
- When God Calls Us to Do the Impossible Things - March 2, 2020
- Look to Him - February 17, 2020
- Thoughts From the Mom Who Needs Grace - December 16, 2019
Congrats on your pregnancy.
I pray that this baby will be perfect – and that the pregnancy will be a perfect one!
After my twins were born, I wrote some key scriptures on note cards and taped them up all around the house in areas that I found myself a lot. On the door to their room. In the kitchen. On the wall in the hallway where I always stopped to catch my breath. Then I would read them and spend a small moment praying scripture and clinging to Jesus before I was off again. I truly believe that’s what got me through those years.
A new baby does make time stand still. Time flies by so fast and the next thing you know your babies are all grown up and ready to fly the nest. Enjoy every moment and blessings to you as you anticipate this precious gift