I was talking to a friend yesterday who gave birth to her 4 child 14 days ago. We shared delivery stories with each other - the funny and the PAIN! Childbirth is painfull. The pain is not only physical, but also mentally, emotionally, relationally. As mothers our bodies and our worlds are changed forever. If it is so painful, why have more than 1? Everyone says you forget how bad it hurts and maybe there is truth in that. But.....we know it hurts like nothing else, but we decide to do it again. Because the pain is worth the reward.
Childbirth pain relates to the many pains, or trials, that God leads us through. Without the pain of childbirth we wouldn't have our beautiful children. Without trials we wouldn't have the precious moments when we come out on the other side and see so vividly God's hand guiding us through, God's body planted firmly beside us for us to lean (or completely fall upon) through every step, God's voice so clear on those sleepless nights, angels that God puts in our lives to encourage us in our valley's.
Thank you, God, for the pain. Thank you for the trials. Although I may grumble and complain, I know you are growing me. Grow me, Lord, to be more like you with each passing moment. Grow me to love you and your people more deeply. Thank you for sharing Cecilia, your child, with me for these 10 wonderful years. She has taught me so much about myself: what kind of mother I want to be; what kind of mother I do not want to be; how to love another person with absolutely no conditions; so many other things.
