Embrace Today: Make the most of where God has you!
One way I'm seeking to "Embrace Today" during this first trimester is by making the most of today. Instead of focusing on all the things I can't do because I'm feeling sick most of the time, I'm seeking--with God's help--to focus on what I can do::: I can use the hours spent lying still to help curb the nausea to devote extra time to prayer, reading God's Word, and meditating on Scripture. I've found that even when the nausea is at its worst and I'm incapable of doing nothing else, I can still pray. What sweet times of fellowship I've had with the Lord as a result!
:: I can invest much more time than usual into just being with the girls. While we've spent almost all day every day together since the girls' birth, many of those days have seemed to rush by so quickly that we don't take enough time to just sit and talk and read and laugh and play together. I'm seeking to seize this short season of simplicity to spend more time with the girls.
When I need to lie down and rest right now (which is often!), I'm encouraging the girls to come pile on the bed or couch with me and just spend quality time with Mom--talking, playing, practicing sign language and words with Kaitlynn and reviewing ABC's and counting with Kathrynne, reading, and most of all, just being together.
:: I can be a cheerful wife and mother. Just because I'm feeling poorly doesn't mean I have to be grumpy! I'm trying to look for the positive things, count my blessings, and find humor in anything that might be remotely humorous. And I'm constantly looking to the Lord to keep me cheerful and joyful in Him.
When I took the time to think of it in terms of things I can do during this time, it made all the difference in the world for me. Believe it or not, I actually started even getting a little excited about this season!
What about you? Where does God have you right now? How can you embrace today and make the most of it--no matter what season of life you are in?
Maybe you're a young woman just finishing high school who is searching for direction for the future. Or an unmarried woman in your twenties or thirties giving your life ministering to other families when you would love nothing more than to have a family of your own.
Perhaps you're a wife who longs to be a full-time mom and homemaker but God hasn't given you children yet or worked things out so you could come home full-time. Maybe you're the single mom who is struggling to make ends meet.
Some of you are probably in a similar place to me today--you're a young wife and mom with little children in the throes of morning sickness. Or maybe you're a busy homeschooling mother of many feeling stretched very thin.
Wherever you are at in your Christian journey, God knows. He sees your struggles; He knows your longings. He hears your cries for help, for grace, for encouragement, for direction. He wants you to find your delight first and foremost in Him. He can give you joy in the midst of sorrow, peace in spite of pain, strength to endure, and enthusiasm for life!
Will you join me? Let's choose joy, keep our eyes focused on Christ, and embrace today--no matter the struggles or difficulties!
"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..." (Hebrews 12:1-2)
"I delight to do Thy will, O my God..." (Psalm 40:8)
Graphic from AllPosters.com
Labels: Encouragement, Pregnancy and childbirth
posted by Crystal Paine at 7:30 AM
32 Comments:
wow. your attitude puts a lot of things in perspective for me. i love 'just being' with my daughter, but i dont practice it nearly enough.
Amen, sister!!
Very well said indeed! God Bless you!
Crystal,
I had a friend who was laid up for 2 months with a herniated disk in her back. She could barely even move her head or arms without some sort of pain. But, she used that time for awesome prayer and she said it was one of the sweetest times in her walk with the Lord. Isn't it great how God works like that?!
Feel Better Soon!
I'm not even pregnant right now Crystal, but your posts have been such a blessing to me! You are so right - there is a tremendous blessing in accepting where God has us right now.
For many years I anguished over not being able to be home full time. But a few months ago, I came to the realization that my calling was not sometime in the future, when I could be a SAHM. But right NOW, where God had me as a full-time WOH wife and mother of 3. Since coming to accept the "season" which God has me in at this moment, I've been blessed with such a peace and have opened myself up to all the graces God wants to give me right now.
Excellent post, Crystal. As one of the unmarried and upper 20's single women that you mentioned towards the end, I appreciated the words of comfort and challenge. I'd love for nothing more than to have a family of my own. But it's not what He's given for today. So why not embrace what He HAS given -- and enjoy it? Sometimes those joys have to be sought after. Or sometimes the joys will only come once you "be still and know He is God". But there are there. He gives good gifts to His children.
Crystal, this series has been great for me. Thank you for it.
As we've talked about before (thanks again for your prayers!), I'm in the tough season of waiting for the next baby to come along after three miscarriages. It can be hard to feel positive about it. But when I really make the effort to do the things that keep my perspective right, it makes a huge difference.
I can be a great wife, I can learn so many things while I have the time - including about my health situation, I can do projects that will be much harder later on, I can help other people. I don't think I'll ever want this time back, but I think I will regret it if I look back and see that I didn't use it well.
I also look for the blessings in this hard time, and there are many. That helps a lot too. There is some good to be found in every season - no matter how hard.
It is my personal and intentional goal each day to not only embrace the day, but learn to embrace each moment and the work therein. Delight in the warmth of soapy water as I wash the dishes. Consciously *feel* the sunlight as I hang my laundry on the line. *Listen* to the sounds of nature as I sow, or weed, or hoe or harvest in the garden. The most mundane tasks are sprinkled with glimpses of holiness. Blessings on you as you travel the road of embracing the ordinary and discovering the extraordinary!!!
Wow, another inspirational post! Like I emailed you earlier, I suffer from severe sickness when pregnant and although I REALLY want another baby, the sickness really scares me. I'm a SAHM as well and I've been wondering what I'll do with my little girl when I'm so sick again. Your posts are really inspiring me & giving me the courage up to go through it all again! Thanks for your inspiration!
Thank you for this timely post. I am in the midst of a few situations that have not turned out as I would have planned, but it is refreshing to read your encouragement.
Thank you for this post and sharing your testimony today. You said somethings I needed to hear on a very difficult morning.
I, too, appreciate your words - they are refreshing to this tired mama! I definitely needed the encouragement!
My husband is nearing the end of a 7-month military deployment and I'm feeling exhausted and worn-down by being the primary parent to my two preschoolers. I find myself wishing the time away and doing the bare minimum to get by instead of embracing this season of my life (albeit challenging).
Crystal~Being that I am a mom of 3 right now(one being only 19months and still nursing)and also pregnant and in the throws of "morning" sickness...these posts have been really helpful! Thank you for encouraging us to be embracing where God has us. It isn't always easy, but I am encouraged.
Lots of love,
Sommer
Thank you, Crystal, for sharing these uplifting thoughts. I almost unsubscribed when you announced you were pregnant--I lost my sweet son last November just 6 days before his scheduled birth. Since then it is usually very hard for me to talk to pregnant women or read blogs about newborn babies, etc. But your words pulled me in as you included those not in your specific situation. Today's post really touched me. Even when in the depths of difficulty, we can still pray! I love how you mention using this time to just be with your daughters. Your wisdom and willing to share it is such a blessing to me! Thank you. May God bless you for your great heart.
Great motto for your pregnancy! During my third pregnancy my motto was one-day-at-a-time which is pretty much the same thing! I wrote a post EXACTLY like this one at the end of my pregnancy when I was discouraged because of false labor episodes and everyone hoping and waiting expectantly for me to go into labor. I titled it, "What I CAN Do" and talked about how though I couldn't make myself go into labor, I could seek to bless my husband that day, could reach out to my neighbors, could spend the time laying around reading to my kids and playing more with them, and spend time seeking God and praying over my unborn child and the delivery to come.
You'll make it through! Continue embracing today, knowing that every miserable minute is worth it and you'd rather be going through this than something like the loss of a child or spouse, etc.
Michelle--Oh, my heart goes out to you!! I cannot imagine the pain and the grief and the loss you must be experiencing!
And I'm grateful that something I wrote could be a blessing to you.
I know that there are many who read this blog who are struggling with infertility or the loss of a child so I am hopeful that I might be sensitive to you all in what I write concerning my pregnancy. I never want to cause unnecessary pain or extra grief, if I can at all help it.
I will be praying for you. May the Lord give you His peace and comfort during this difficult time.
I really appreciate this series you're doing right now! I am studying abroad in Latin America this fall, and while I'm enjoying myself here, I find it's hard to focus on each individual day when I am looking forward so much to being able to go home. It has been my goal so far to slow down and enjoy this day that the Lord has made...and I thank you for helping me to do so!
I'm at the other end of a pregnancy...currently 32 weeks, first time being in the 3rd trimester for me.
I have gained a ton of weight and I feel tired, huge, achy, clumsy, unmotivated and hot. My stomach is so huge I can barely reach the dishes to wash them in the sink because it's in the way.
I have struggled with guilt for not doing enough and not doing it well enough. But isn't it Satan who wants to convince us of our guilt?
I am trying to remember that I am having a new life being knit together inside of me and that's a pretty productive thing to be doing : )
Another thank you for such an uplifting and Godly post, Crystal. I've been a MSM devotee for the past 6 months and just really discovered this encouraging blog. You are a role model to me.
My 19-month-old has been really difficult lately, and we're living in a tiny apartment while in between selling our condo and hoping/praying to buy a home. It's messy and cluttered and I can't find things and my daughter is having *another* tantrum and - and - and - I need to stop and pray and take joy in where HE has me!
And, reading the comments helps me put my VERY minor problems in perspective. (btw, I had ms with my daughter throughout pregnancy, so I know how you feel and dread that part when I'm next pregnant!)
Thank you so much for this encouragement! My morning sickness has truely been getting the best of me. I just want to thank you. I started bloging a year ago because I loved your blog so much. I have learned so much from you over the year. God bless you today in your season!
Crystal,
I am greatly enjoying your "Embrace today" series of late. It has been a real encouragement and boost to me. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I also wanted to share something that I hope might help you with morning sickness. Maybe you have already tried it but I thought it was worth a mention. One of my currently pregnant friends has been using acupressure wrist bands (like this) for her morning sickness. She said they work by applying gentle pressure to the inside of the wrist and this pressure point combats nausea. I was skeptical of the idea, but she said it really seems to work for her. She puts them on first thing in the morning and wears them most of the day, then removes them before bed. I think she found them at Walgreens or some other drug store.
I don't know if it would work for you but I just thought it might be something you would like to try.
I will be praying for you during this pregnancy. Blessings to you.
~Lydia
Crystal, Beautiful post! Thank you from one of the "homeschooling moms of many" that you mentioned at the end of your post. I NEEDED this post this evening. God is using you Crystal in this season of your life. We all need to continually be available to be used by Him. Thank you for your obedience to Him and your ministry to me and so many others! All for Him, Whitney from So. Cal.
Though I am sorry you are feeling so poorly...it is a good sign that the baby is growing. Our daughter who is about 6 weeks along or so, is cramping and trying to miscarry. So even blessings can hurt sometimes.
I am so glad you are focusing on staying cheerful with your family. So many young women these days seem to think feeling badly is a good excuse to act out...in fact, to act ungodly. You will be blessed for your good attitude...and who knows, maybe the duration of this will be shorter, being our attitudes can have impact on our health!!
Blessings on you..and please while praying add our daughter to your list. More than keeping this baby (which of course, we all hope for) she and her husband need to come to the Saviour...we pray that in whatever happens that will be the result!!
Thank you so much for this post. Right now I'm in a season with some financial and business struggles regarding our family business. I know that the enemy would love nothing more than for my family and I to throw up our hands and "tear down" our house, but I'm not going to. I'm going to stand fast in the promises of God and know that all will work out for our benefit in the end.
God bless you and your babies!
-Jen K.
Thanks. I needed this post today.
I was thinking of resigning from helping with a church activity that I have become very frustrated with for a number of reasons. I was praying about it this morning, asking God to examine my motives, and show me if I was supposed to stay in the position. I talked to my mom on the phone on the way to work, and she said that a lot of my frustration might be my attitude. Then I saw this article and it seems like at least for today, I am supposed to embrace where I am.
Blessings... praying you'll feel better soon!
Crystal,
You spoked to my heart - as I'm sure you spoke to many other women's hearts.
I have an infant son and have been very lucky to work at home for the for two months after my leave was over, and then at home part-time the past month. At the end of this month, he'll be in daycare full-time and I'm heartbroken. We're saving, and I'm praying (my husband isn't a believer), to find a way to bring me home.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Crystal, this is such a wonderful post. With a 3 and ½ week old baby boy and two precious little girls, our schedule has been turned upside down to say the least. We are finding a new rhythm and schedule, and it's a great change for sure.
I have chosen to cherish this time and stay joyful even when I don’t get enough crossed off my “to-do-list”. Those things can wait. How wonderful to rest in God’s arms, enjoying the moments He’s given me with my family. For me I’ve found that it’s vital to keep my eyes focused on Jesus, to spend time in God's Word daily, to keep looking for ways to serve my amazing husband (even when I’m very tired), to enjoy every sweet moments with our little girls, and to just cuddle with our new adorable baby boy. Oh they smell so good as newborns! This season of life is truly one to be embraced!
As your post was loading I was sitting here (at work) thinking how much I really want to be a stay-at-home mom. Your post title hit me between the eyes! :) Due to circumstances, it's not possible for me to be at home YET, but we're working towards that. I haven't even read your post but I know God is using this series to talk to me, and I appreciate you being willing to do the work He has called you to do. Thanks. :)
What a good post! A good reminder to look for the good in each situation and live joyfully. My immediate struggle has been being overbooked and struggling to keep up with homeschooling, gardening and lots of other responsiblities. Your post was a good reminder of how my attitude needs to be.
I tried to oomment on this earlier and messed up and went to frugal Friday...sorry about that...
My husband has been in the hospital this past week, and i found your blog
I've been reading through it the past few days..
I enjoy your positive attitude..something I myself strive and pray about often
Just wanted to say hi and it's nice to "meet" you
Hey Crystal~I'm Ally and I just found your blog not too long ago..my husband was in the hospital and I was aimlessly wondering the internet
I love the positivity behind your posts and feel myself nodding in agreement with much of what you say
I tried to comment earlier and it somehow ended up in Frugal Friday with no comment or anything...sorry about that *sigh I guess I'm still getting the hang of this :)
My daughter had an ultrasound yesterday...no baby seen. So I guess she has lost it and will miscarry the rest of the contents of the uterus soon. So even though ill...you are blessed!! I have hope for better things in the future for my daughter because she got pregnant very quickly. But the FATHER knows best!
(I had that wonderful $10 off $40 purchase to use tonight at Walgreens...among the other things we got, they had a great breast pump on mark down for $20.99which I bought in an act of faith!!)
"Perhaps you're a wife who longs to be a full-time mom and homemaker but God hasn't given you children yet"...that's me! That's me...it was like the Lord was speaking through this post! Thank you!
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