Contractions

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." 
-- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)


I have several close friends that are roughly 9 months pregnant at this time. I myself, have labored and birthed 7 times. Contractions are not pleasant. Nor do we look forward to them each time we observe the plus sign on the little white stick. I'm certain you know what I'm talking about. Contractions, we are told, help "get the job done". "Every contraction gets you one step closer to holding your little one." These are words I have heard over and over. They are true. However, not always welcomed during transition. Which brings me to this morning. It was a typical morning of the clamor of dishes, little feet scampering here and there, yelling and laughter; and then; contractions! One after the other. Malt O Meal spilled-on chair-on floor-on child and then I stepped in it. Ok. No big. 5 minutes later...milk spilled on table and child. Ok. Breathe. 5 minutes later...here comes a big one...push! "Mom! Poop! On floor!" (The dog, not the child.)  Ok. I call a child to deliver Me! And we thought contractions stopped once the child was delivered? Wrong. Remember the afterbirth? No one told me that life was the afterbirth. Life, especially one filled with blessings under four feet tall, is full of daily contractions. This too shall pass. It's how we handle them that counts. This morning really was typical, and I was ready. I admit, like pregnancy and birth, I'm not always ready. Thankfully, we are not in this alone. We have a heavenly Counselor who has our best interest at heart. 
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
We are Mother's. It is the highest of callings. Delight in it.


"The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." ~ Honore de Balzac