Baby girl was born 11
weeks ago. We thought we’d only have to
wait a month before bringing her home. It
has felt like a long wait.
Someone asked me the other
day if I’ve figured out yet what God has been trying to teach me through the
wait. The obvious answers would be
patience and reliance on Him. And I’ve
been stretched in those areas for sure.
But the most important lesson I think I’ve learned is about the value of
community. Of opening myself up to other
women, and being vulnerable, and letting them care for me. I have stronger relationships with more women
now than I did three months ago. And I
am positive that this would not be the case if we had not been forced to wait.
I’ve had friends whom I
haven’t talked with in years email or text me out of the blue to say they were
thinking about me, or praying for me, or to give me encouragement through their
own stories about waiting. I’ve had
friends open up their homes to me and let me come in and just hang out for the
day. I’ve had friends stop and pray with
me. I’ve had friends give me baby stuff
and (welcome) parenting advice. I’ve had
friends laugh with me. I’ve had friends
help me figure out how the heck one assembles a pack-n-play. I’ve had friends set up showers and
meals. I’ve had friends send cards and
stupid pictures that made me laugh. I’ve
had friends willing to drive long distances just to celebrate with us. For heavens’ sake, I have a friend who gave
me her frozen breastmilk – how much better does it get than that?
And I’ve learned that I desperately
need those friends. I’ve learned that it
is ok to be vulnerable. It is ok to need
help. It is ok to need your village.
Love to all,
Jeannine
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