Shining light into the cave

This week I was reminded of those days just after my kids were born and what that was like. What prompted this little trip down memory lane was a hopital visit to a girl in our Sunday School class who just had a baby. Every time we visit a new mom, the memories come flooding back. I had two very different experiences with our little ones.

It's funny how you have everything all planned out when you get ready to have a baby. My plan was to try natural childbirth with our first. I know, crazy right?! But I was going to try. Well, little Sophie just didn't want to come. I hit my due date and was not even close to labor. We went in to be induced and after a day of that, she wasn't showing any signs of coming...still. On Day 2 of being induced she still wasn't coming, but my water broke. I was hopeful...maybe this would move things along! But...it didn't. I was drugged up and all of the sudden Sophie's heart rate dropped and I had to have an emergency c-section. Things definitely didn't go according to plan! After a week in the NICU, Sophie got to come home. It was a tough week for all of us. But, praise the Lord, we had a healthy baby girl!

The weeks following Sophie's birth were pretty tough for me. I don't know if it was post-pardum issues or just realizing that everything I thought about having a child was different than I expected. I had so many expectations for the birth and life with a newborn...and none of them were met! Just about every day I would sit with the baby, watch her, look at her beautiful face, meet her needs...then cry because I was so thankful for her but felt like things weren't going according to "plan". I would pop in Pride and Prejudice and sit in my "cave"...blinds closed, curtains closed, and just go through the motions. A few weeks after we got home, my Mom came to stay with me and help me out. It took a long time for me to recover from the c-section and I was so glad for the help...and companionship! I had worked right up until the birth, and afterwards I was left at home...just the baby and I...when my husband went back to work. It was a big change! I felt guilty for struggling with all of it. Anyway, Mom came and she would cook meals and open up the blinds and curtains. She would encourage me and tell me I was doing a good job. She helped me not to feel so overwhelmed. There was physical light shining into the little cave I was living in, but there was also a light shining into my heart.

Almost exactly two years later, little Isaac was born. Another c-section...this time scheduled...and a much better experience. I still struggled with learning how to handle a newborn and a two year old. Our new baby had chronic ear infections and for quite a while I didn't get more than 5 hours of sleep every night. Let's just say it was a long year. But right after he was born, Mom came again. She cooked and encouraged. Opened those blinds and curtains. I know it was hard for me when she left. I tear up now just thinking about it! : )

I wanted to share all of this to encourage those of you reading (including myself) to be the light in the cave to new moms. I would guess that most women aren't going to feel like sharing their insecurities and struggles as a new mom with just anyone, unless it's a close friend. But we can still be a light. We can take meals, offer to watch older childen for the afternoon, wash a load of clothes, bring over a "survival basket"--a good movie, some popcorn, a book--or just go hang out. For me, after having a second c-section I couldn't lift Sophie for 6 weeks. So I had a two year old that I couldn't put in the car by myself. We were stuck at home unless I had help. Other moms may be experiencing this and would love a helping hand. There are so many opportunities to minister! Let's be the shining light of God's love!