During a birthing class, the labor and delivery nurse once said that she didn't understand how anyone could do what she does and not believe in God. I will also say that I don't understand how anyone could parent a child through their first year of life and not be utterly in awe of the undeniable Creator that is our God! Watching Beulah develop has strengthened my faith. The fact that she can do things one day that she couldn't do the day before, things I know I didn't teach her, is absolutely remarkable!! And, while babies generally develop in similar ways, God is creative enough to bless each of us with unique features, personalities and gifts that distinguish us from those around us. There is none like Him! He is worthy of our praise!!
As parents, we can relate to God, our Father. As a mom, I am in a position of authority over my daughter. God is my authority, my Father. I am His child. So, as I care for Beulah, I can't help but see connections. While His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts higher than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:9), now that I'm a mom, I can understand Him in a new way. For that I am very grateful.
Here are just a few of the things I've learned about God from being a mom.
*TRUTH--God loves us...A LOT!
Scenario: The most anger I've ever felt towards God was when I watched Beulah suffer when she was a newborn. Her gas was so painful, and I felt like God was unjust for letting this helpless child suffer constantly. If you've ever seen your child in any kind of pain, you know how deeply you are moved by it and how intense your desire is to stop it.
*What must God has felt when Jesus, His only Son, was suffering and dying on the cross? Oh, how He must have wanted to stop the pain! I can't even begin to imagine! But, He didn't stop His suffering. Why? Because He loved you and me so much and wanted to be with us. No wonder He turned His face away. What parent could watch that? But, He knew it had to happen. "Thank you" will never be enough! I owe my life to Him.
*TRUTH--His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts higher than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).
Scenario: Before Beulah weaned from breast-feeding, I would nurse her in my bed as soon as she woke up. When she finished nursing, we'd play on the bed for a while before we got the day started. After she learned to crawl, she'd crawl dangerously close to the edge of the bed, not understanding the danger she was putting herself in. She was especially adamant about going off the side of the bed if there was something on the floor that she wanted. I would often have to grab her ankle and pull her back to keep her from falling off. Of course, this frustrated her because all she knew was that there was something down there she wanted and I was keeping her from it. As her mom, I have lived long enough and have enough experience to know that I need to protect her from the pain that is inevitable from falling off the bed.
*God holds eternity in His hands. He can see from the beginning of time to the end (Revelation 22:13). He doesn't just have experience in the world, He created the world (Genesis 1:1). So, if He grabs my ankle and pulls me back from something I'm going after, I can trust that He has a reason. Loving someone doesn't always mean giving them what they want. Sometimes loving someone means keeping them from what they want. He protects those He loves from danger (Psalm 91). And, while I may pitch a fit because I can't see the big picture like God can, I can rest assured that He has my best interest at heart (Jeremiah 29:11).
*TRUTH--God's timing is perfect. We can trust His reasons for making us wait.
Scenario: When car seats are facing back and babies don't yet get object permanence, it's no surprise that they cry. But, when Mama is in the driver's seat heading down the road, there's not much she can do to sooth her crying baby. Does that mean she doesn't love her baby because she's not rushing to her? Of course not! It's because she loves her that she keeps her in the car-seat where it's safe.
*Sometimes we cry out to God and He doesn't answer. Since we don't understand the silence, we're often quick to say that He isn't there or doesn't care. But, the fact is, He knows and wants what's best for us; we are His beloved children. It's because He loves us that He makes us wait. We never know what He might want to teach us or protect us from. Six years of infertility taught me that. If you're in the car seat and God is driving the car, you can trust that He loves you and will come to you at just the right time.
*TRUTH--Painful and uncomfortable experiences make us better.
Scenario: One of the worst tasks for a new mom is to have to suction her stuffy newborn's nose. When my tiny one month old couldn't breath, there I stood, bulb in hand, trying to get up the courage to stick the bulb tip up her tiny nostril, all while she was jerking her head around to get away from me. Hearing her cry was hard for me anyway, so doing something that was causing her to cry made it even worse! But, I was determined; I knew it had to be done. Suctioning her nose was going to make her feel better in the end.
*When God allows us to face painful or uncomfortable experiences it's because He knows it will help us. He uses these times of suffering to teach us more about ourselves, the world around us, and ultimately, Himself. Because of His deep love for us, it can't be easy for Him to watch, but He knows it will make us better in the end. Our suffering is always purposeful. Had I not suffered through infertility, I would not know God like I do now. I am so thankful that He loved me enough to allow me to suffer.
*TRUTH--God is near. He will never leave me or forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Scenario: After months of not exercising, I have finally started going back to the Y. While I'm there I have to put Beulah in the Child Watch. For a while, that was the worst part of my day, because she would start to scream when I dropped her off and would often be crying when I picked her up. (There's a lot I could say on this topic, but this is not the time!) I knew she was terrified that the one she trusted had left her, and that broke my heart! I wanted to reason with her that I needed this time and would only be gone a few minutes. I wanted to tell her that she didn't need to worry, that I would always come back.
*God has promised that He will be with us to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Just because Beulah can't see me doesn't mean I'm not there. And, just because we can't feel God at times doesn't mean He's not there. We can stand on His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us, and live in confidence instead of fear.
*TRUTH--All He wants is to be close to us.
Scenario: Beulah is a very active baby. She's not much of a cuddler. But, I crave those moments when she slows down and relaxes in my arms. In those moments, I sit very still for fear that I might cause her to stir and be on her way again. Her sweet hugs and kisses light up my heart. To receive that kind of assurance from my child, assurance that she loves me and enjoys being with me, fills me up.
*While He doesn't need assurance from us, God desires that kind of affection/worship. In fact, He loves us so much that He died so that He could be with us! When we're not near Him, we should have separation anxiety the way an infant does when she's separated from her mom. We should feel very alone and afraid when we aren't walking with the One we know we can trust.
*TRUTH--When we whine, it's annoying.
Scenario: Seriously? Do I need to say more?
*Philippians 2:14
*TRUTH--God loves us even when we hurt Him.
Scenario: One night Beulah had a hyper spell before bedtime. In an attempt to get her energy out, we were playing with her. She was going back and forth between the two of us, and we would flip her upside down or tickle her, etc. In this 15-20 minute crazy spell, she was scratching, pinching and biting us, pulling our hair, etc. We knew she didn't know that she was hurting us, and we didn't love her any less because of it.
* Jesus loved us so much that He died for us even when we condemned Him (Romans 5:8). He knew we didn't know what we were doing (Luke 23:34).
*TRUTH--God knows what we need before we ask.
Scenario: As a parent, you know what your child's basic needs are, and it is your job to meet those needs. I know when Beulah is going to get hungry, so I begin preparing her food ahead of time so that it will be ready when she is ready for it. When she was an infant, most of the time I would have already started the food prep before she started crying for it. She didn't know I was one step ahead of her.
*Our Father knows what we need before we ask. He tells us we don't have to worry, because He WILL provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34).
*TRUTH--God knows and wants what's best for us.
Scenario: Beulah goes through phases where she doesn't want to eat what I have prepared for her. I know that fruits and veggies should be a solid part of her diet, but she would rather have cereal, yogurt bites, tater tots, etc. Thus, a battle of the wills ensues. Since I know the fruits and veggies are healthier for her, and I want to establish a healthy appetite in her, I am not willing to simply give her what she wants for every meal. I have resolved to deal with the fussing in order to promote her health.
*We often fight what's good for us because it's not as appealing as what's bad for us. But, our Creator/Father knows what's best for us. He wants us to live in spiritual health; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (The Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23). So, if He engages us in a battle of the wills, we would be wise to submit sooner rather than later.
What are some things you've learned about God from parenting your child?
