New Life Rising

“If the leaves had not been let go to fall and wither, if the tree had not consented to be a skeleton for many months, there would be no new life rising, no bud, no flower, no fruit, no seed, no regeneration.” ~Elisabeth Elliot

My cousin Laura is expecting her first baby in February. Our family is so excited for her and her husband Nick. They are going to be fantastic parents. My sisters and I have been having 'motherly' chats with Laura. Re-telling the birth stories of our children and giving her bits of advice that we learned along the way. Excitement is in the air!

What an amazing journey having your first baby is. Meeting that new life that was formed inside of you leads to a wealth of emotions. I can truly say, as I look back, that giving birth 3 times and making it through those early months with a newborn baby are the times I have been the most proud of myself. The loving moments with each one of my boys is etched so deep in my being. I look at their baby pictures and in an instant I can feel their soft, wispy hair on my cheek and I can almost touch their silky skin and smell their fresh new life scent. I have learned so much from those day. So much about true love and sacrifice. My life was not my own, I felt I was created for such a time as that. My main purpose in life was to mother my baby boys. To hold them, for a long time. To feed them from my heart. Bathe them with such gentleness and carefulness. Watch them sleep and breathe. Their every need was met by me.

Those days also stamped my heart with a love for my husband that will never be erased. He was there, he helped, he loved, he learned with me. He supported me, he reached passed his in-securities and has become an excellent father. As a young bride just 21 yrs.old, I had no idea what fatherly qualities were hidden inside his heart. Those nights when the baby wouldn't settle for me he would walk a path in the hallway singing and bouncing his baby boy until he was asleep. More than once he has taken us on a late night drive so that the baby and I could fall asleep in the car. Sacrificed sleep for himself and then get up and work a full day. I often have said my husband was/is a diamond in the rough. He outshines many.

We are entering a new phase in the Owens household. No longer are we parents to babies. We have 3 little boys! Our youngest will be 3 next month. We've never been here before. Every time the older boy was 3, I was either pregnant or with a newborn. No more diapers or midnight feedings. Sometimes rocking and singing aren't the fix for the crying. An encouraging talk or a comforting hug is the answer now. I am scared, as I was back then. Scared and nervous at the new challenges we will face. But I have faith and trust that our parenting hearts will be guided by our source of wisdom and direction.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6