I've been hard on myself lately. At first, I celebrated because my physical recovery from labor and birth was easier than with my firstborn. I assumed that since it was easier, all the other things would also come quickly - like fitting back into regular pants.
And I've been disappointed and frustrated. I gained weight on my hips and thighs during this pregnancy, whereas I had not when I carried my son. It will be a longer process of exercise and healthy eating to get this weight off, and for now, it's not very possible for me to get much extra exercise in! And I'm sleep deprived and fighting a cold, so I'm resting as much as I can. Not a very helpful situation that way!
In the meantime, my husband has continued to praise me and say he loves the way I look. He likes the yoga pants. It's okay that I'm not the same shape. He loves me.
I know that I am loved and that my body did a beautiful thing in giving life to this little girl, and that it continues to do an amazing thing in nourishing her and providing the comfort she and her big brother need. The loads of laundry, hugs, diaper changes, clothing changes, swaddles, tossing footballs, coloring with crayons, cooking meals, wiping faces and dozens of messes are my gift to my children and my husband. Their clean faces and content smiles are the evidence of the work my body has done for them. Why should I be so hard on myself that it's not the shape I had hoped so soon?
I need patience and grace to wait and work through this time. I need to focus on the little things, the beautiful, good, wonderful things. The pounds gained by my chubby little cherub. The smiles and silly laughs of my toddler. The hugs and reassurance of my husband. The love and support of friends. The beauty of redemption and self sacrifice.
Breathing and trusting that things will be well. That all things are beautiful in their time, and that I will again reach my personal goals. All will be well.
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grace. Show all posts
Monday, February 23, 2015
Friday, November 15, 2013
Goodness and grace
More times than I can count, Brad and I have come to the end of our ability and the bottom of our savings and have found blessings instead.
Each other.
A home.
Food on the table.
Our loving family and friends.
Our church.
The clothing on our backs.
And so much more.
This time, we also found freedom from our medical debts and a large financial gift from our church family, who knew how hard it had become for us to make ends meet.
I hesitated to write about this, because I felt a little guilty enjoying these undeserved, unearned blessings! This post reminded me that God delights in giving good gifts to His children, and that it's alright, it's encouraged, that we enjoy them!
So with a thankful, beyond grateful, joyful heart, I ask you to celebrate with me, friends!
One of our small group leaders approached us a couple weeks ago with a financial gift from our church. A large gift. Because they knew how hard it was for us to make ends meet lately. The size that will allow us to replace the broken windshield on our car, put food on our table, buy a few gifts for our family, fill an Operation Christmas Child box, and put something in our savings account. We are so grateful and floored with the generosity of our church family to us.
I recently humbled myself and applied for charity care for our medical bills. Paying pennies on thousands owed each month was squeezing our already tight budget, and I found myself deciding between a $2 box of cereal and a box of Kleenex. Deciding whether or not to buy cheese, or a bag of apples. Telling myself that I could make sandwich bread instead of buying a $1.50 loaf. Feeding our child from our plates instead of buying pureed and pouch-packaged baby food. Cutting every corner I thriftily could.
And then, all four of our medical bills were either reduced or forgiven, and we were able to pay the remaining balance this month.
Hallelujah!
So, we bought some meat for our freezer. Fresh veggies and fruits for the fridge. Sandwich bread and Kleenex. (Because the baby has a cold, and the hubby needs sandwiches when he packs his lunch for work). We feel abundantly blessed, and look forward to this new freedom to bless others. And to save! And to share our joy with you.
Each other.
A home.
Food on the table.
Our loving family and friends.
Our church.
The clothing on our backs.
And so much more.
This time, we also found freedom from our medical debts and a large financial gift from our church family, who knew how hard it had become for us to make ends meet.
I hesitated to write about this, because I felt a little guilty enjoying these undeserved, unearned blessings! This post reminded me that God delights in giving good gifts to His children, and that it's alright, it's encouraged, that we enjoy them!
So with a thankful, beyond grateful, joyful heart, I ask you to celebrate with me, friends!
One of our small group leaders approached us a couple weeks ago with a financial gift from our church. A large gift. Because they knew how hard it was for us to make ends meet lately. The size that will allow us to replace the broken windshield on our car, put food on our table, buy a few gifts for our family, fill an Operation Christmas Child box, and put something in our savings account. We are so grateful and floored with the generosity of our church family to us.
I recently humbled myself and applied for charity care for our medical bills. Paying pennies on thousands owed each month was squeezing our already tight budget, and I found myself deciding between a $2 box of cereal and a box of Kleenex. Deciding whether or not to buy cheese, or a bag of apples. Telling myself that I could make sandwich bread instead of buying a $1.50 loaf. Feeding our child from our plates instead of buying pureed and pouch-packaged baby food. Cutting every corner I thriftily could.
And then, all four of our medical bills were either reduced or forgiven, and we were able to pay the remaining balance this month.
Hallelujah!
So, we bought some meat for our freezer. Fresh veggies and fruits for the fridge. Sandwich bread and Kleenex. (Because the baby has a cold, and the hubby needs sandwiches when he packs his lunch for work). We feel abundantly blessed, and look forward to this new freedom to bless others. And to save! And to share our joy with you.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
more accidents
and more grace.
"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
My husband was in another accident Tuesday night. He had gone to visit my brother in an unfamiliar city, and got lost. He pulled over to call for directions, but realized that he recognized where he was. He began to pull back onto the four-lane highway, and was hit by a car that swerved from the other lane. The car door is so deeply dented that the frame is bent. The glass is gone. The door won't open. But miraculously, my husband is okay. Sore, but okay.
We are thankful for the little graces, and for the big things - for his life, for the fact that we have a second car that was recently fixed, for my job, and for the beauty of the past few (rain-less) days.
Breathing.
"But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
My husband was in another accident Tuesday night. He had gone to visit my brother in an unfamiliar city, and got lost. He pulled over to call for directions, but realized that he recognized where he was. He began to pull back onto the four-lane highway, and was hit by a car that swerved from the other lane. The car door is so deeply dented that the frame is bent. The glass is gone. The door won't open. But miraculously, my husband is okay. Sore, but okay.
We are thankful for the little graces, and for the big things - for his life, for the fact that we have a second car that was recently fixed, for my job, and for the beauty of the past few (rain-less) days.
Breathing.
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