The Promises in Pregnancy & Birth

During the holiday season, I think of the birth of Jesus Christ. Pregnancy seems to be a foreshadowing of the promise of eternity with Him. Life in the womb is dim, reminding me of

1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." We understand partially, and our lives feel like forever, but it is temporary. 1 John 2:17 "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."

We suffer for a moment. Some suffer more than others, like in death. John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Then new life is born just like the afterlife with our Heavenly Father. No one ever knows the time it will happen. Not even Jesus knows the hour. Matthew 24:36, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

The exciting part is meeting our baby face to face. The correlation being when we as children meet our Heavenly Father face to face. 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." Just like how our life here on earth is temporary, but we look forward to seeing our Saviors face and living forever together in health and happiness, rejoicing. Romans 6:22-23 "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord."

The Bible says children are a blessing. Psalm 127:3, "Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him." The unconditional love we feel for our kids is how He feels about us, only magnified. That sense of pride and duty to provide and protect and nourish and raise them right is like the Lord's love for us. 1 John 4:19, "We love because he first loved us." I wonder how Mary felt giving birth to her Savior, God's Son. How much peace she must have experienced knowing God as the dad would do all she was feeling responsible for and more for his one and only Son. Luke 2:19, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." He feels the same about all his children. He loves all of us. Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Babies are a beautiful reminder of His faithfulness and enduring love. If you are debating a home birth experience, I highly recommend it. However you welcome your child into this world, remember that our time with our children is brief. Rather than regretting lost time or taking for granted the moments with our children, give your fullness to them.

All you truly need for a child is love. God is love. 1 John 4:7-12 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

Love is what I give my two thriving boys.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.)"

The security of knowing I will love my children through mistakes is all they need. Love provides stability, comfort, and encouragement. God is our Comforter. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." God is our Provider. Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." God is our Strength. Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Love is contagious. May you be filled with love this holiday season and love others in return out of the abundance in you! Galatians 5:14, "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Let blessings abound. Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."