Acceptance

I have been praying for lots of friends and family lately who are battling medical conditions, especially cancer.  I also read an amazing blog last night from a mother of four, who was sharing her journey of acceptance of her body post-babies, including a set of twins.  And, then today, I was reminded of an article I read last year about the ridiculous cropping that advertisers do, which makes the models look perfect.  So, I am sharing this story in hopes that today, each of you accepts the circumstances of your body on this day.  May it help to remind you that you were created wonderfully and uniquely by our loving God, who knows and loves you just as you are.  Here is a way God reminded me to lean on Him when I was struggling:

In 2012, we found out I was pregnant with our youngest, our first “natural” pregnancy. We were elated (after the shock wore off).  I was on modified bedrest the entire time, and then got admitted to the hospital at 26 weeks pregnant and stayed in the hospital for 4 weeks until he was born.  That month was a delicate balance of the pros and cons of having our baby still growing inside of me, or being born very prematurely.  I was put on the dreaded magnesium sulfate medicine at least 3 times to stop the labor process because baby boy was not showing any signs of distress at those times.  For those that don’t know, this medicine slows contractions, but it also slows down every bodily function.  My limbs felt like weights, my speech was slow and my brain and speech were not even close to being at the same speed! Oh, and as one nurse warned me, you feel like you are on fire from the inside out.  Not my idea of fun at all, but I had resigned myself to the fact that whatever it took to keep him alive, that I would endure it.  I only left my room one time in those 4 weeks, and I wasn’t even allowed out of bed when I was on the magnesium sulfate.  I was so mad at my body for not being to able to grow babies, or even let me be at home with our other 3 children, who were ages 5, 3 and 3 at the time.  I was frustrated that I wasn't that Mom, who was still doing everything for their older kids, even though she had the big basketball belly.  I complained alot to God during these 4 weeks.  I mean, I had no one else to talk to, and nothing else to do (most of the time)!  On one particular day, when I was slipping into self-pity, God gave me this message, found in my Jesus Calling devotional, by Sarah Young, which a friend had just given me on my birthday the month before.

September 8^th:  Accept each day exactly as it comes to you.  By that, I mean not only the circumstances of your day but also the condition of your body.  Your assignment is to trust Me absolutely, resting in My sovereignty and faithfulness.  On some days, your circumstances and your physical condition feel out of balance: The demands on you seem far greater than your strength.  Days like that present a choice between two alternatives-giving up or relying on Me.  Even if you choose the first alternative, I will not reject you.  You can turn to Me at any point, and I will help you crawl out of the mire of discouragement.  I will infuse My strength into you moment by moment, giving you all that you need for this day.  Trust Me, by relying on My empowering Presence. 

Psalm 42:5; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Jeremiah 31:25