Faith, Hope, and Newborns
When I decided to start the journey of a Christ Centered Scripture Study, I never knew how much it would change and strengthen me. This month I focused on FAITH and HOPE, and... I have to say, it wasn't always easy!
So here's what I learned during a whole month of focusing on faith...
1.) Just because you have faith, doesn't mean you wont have trials.
I was hoping that throwing my hands up to God and giving Him full reign would somehow send me on a magical path where it would be all smooth sailing. Nope. We still have trials, we still have struggles, we still have bad days. Most of you know that I recently had a baby girl. Her name is Reagan and she JUST turned 2 months old. As you can imagine, caring for a little, helpless, communicationless, fussy, hungry, tired person is not always easy. There was a particular moment this month (ok probably more than one) when Reagan refused to nap. I was exhausted and frankly just wanted to close my eyes as well. She was fussy (from being exhausted) and after hours of trying to put her down I finally had some luck. Then the second I laid my head on my pillow and shut my eyes, she started to fuss again. I literally said out loud to God... "Why does this have to be so hard?" Why do I have to be exhausted and deflated 90% of the time? Why do I have to have so many doubts and worries? Why can't having and raising children be 99% fun, laughter and joy? After that mini meltdown, I finally picked up my tiny fussing baby and something awesome happened. She just stared at me with her big trusting beautiful eyes. That was it. That's all it took. And suddenly the lesson burned in my heart. The answer to my question... it's hard because it's WORTH IT. And I was genuinely over the exhaustion in that moment. It instantly went away... and I held that little baby and prayed a prayer of gratitude.
2.) Having faith DOES make the trials more bearable.
My motto this month was to "let my faith be bigger than my fears." I'm sure you've heard the mantra before, and I chose it because it was totally applicable to my life as a newborn mommy. Often I found myself fearing and doubting my abilities as a mom, and second guessing my choices. But I took the challenge this month to minimize the fears and maximize my faith. It honestly was NOT easy but I think I did a pretty good job in between the weak moments. There were lots of times where I felt myself crumbling under the weight of my fears and the burden of exhaustion. But the times where I remembered that God is with me, and that this is His plan strengthened me in a way I could have never foreseen.
3.) Prayer is a great way to strengthen your faith.
Lots of times during the month I found prayer to be a crutch. I asked Him for guidance, strength, an extra hour of sleep (LOL). I found that the more I prayed, the closer I felt to Him, and the more faith I had in Him. Prayer is a tricky thing for me, because sometimes I expect or wish for a shining answer to appear to me. Maybe a voice? A vision? I have to say I have never had any of those. But I have felt a calming and a feeling of comfort... and sometimes, that's all you really need.
So friends, with that- Faithful June is over. I feel my faith increasing and I hope I can continue to do so even when it's NOT Faithful June. I hope you followed along, and that you took the challenge with me!
...And now, we begin July with Love and Charity! I am so excited for this guys! Be thinking of your mantra and focus, and follow on the journey with me to strengthen your love for others and the Lord!
