If you are not familiar with Ann Voskamp's new book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, you need to check it out. It is amazing, to say the least. I was intrigued by the premise, but I have read many books claiming to help you live your best life or to help you become your authentic self. Those books that I have read never really seemed to live up to the hype. This book delivers! I'm a pretty tough critic when it comes to books like this, but I have to say, it has changed my life.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
The Pain of Separation: Reflections on Easter
I remember it all very clearly, those first months with a new baby. I don't know why I say I can remember that time clearly, truthfully, everything is a foggy blur because of lack of sleep and surges of hormones. The truth is I can still remember those feelings very clearly. I remember the joy, the worry, the exhaustion, the peace when I held my baby boy in my arms. I could take care of his every need. He could not exist outside of me, completely dependent on me for his very life. I rocked, I cuddled, I nursed, I cried, he cried. It all feels very clear.
What I all also remember was when things started to change. We began hearing discussions from other parents about sleep training, the need for the baby to learn to be independent . . . at 6 or 7 months. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't bat an eye at those well-meaning friends and other parents who were choosing their own paths for parenthood, but being a new mom (a very tired new mom) I began to question myself. Does he need to learn to be on his own? Would he sleep better if I let him "cry it out" for a few nights? Is he going to be needing me to get him to sleep until he's in college? Let me say, the answer to all of those questions is, NO! But, I had to go along for this ride to learn my lesson, so I put my tiny precious little baby in his bed. He immediately started screaming. Everything inside of me said PICK UP YOUR BABY!! HE NEEDS YOU!!!! But, it seemed that everyone else knew best. I mustered up some courage, turned and walked out and shut the door. I'll give you the short version of this story. . . . I did indeed turn back around and pick up my baby after standing outside a closed door and crying, and although I wasn't convinced after one try, it didn't take long to realize I was not going to make it through if I didn't go with my gut on this issue.
I learned that part of what makes babies so unhappy, even when they are not hungry or wet or uncomfortable in any way, is the pain of separation from the ones they love the most. They have no idea where mom and dad have gone or if they will ever return (that comes later). It is also painful for the parent. I had an almost physical pain at the sound of my baby crying, and not being able to respond. The pain of separation is just as hard on the parent as the child.
Remembering this time in my son's life, got me thinking about the sacrifice of Jesus, God's son. As we celebrated the risen savior on Easter, I thought often of the pain of separation they both experienced at the cross. As Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" I can hardly stand the painful cry of the abandoned child. I also think of the pain for the parent that is on the other side of the closed door. It's not that the Father cannot hear him, He knows his Son is hurting, crying out. He's standing behind that closed door and He can't open it (although he is perfectly able). He can't open it because He loved us so very much, and the only way to redeem us was through the sacrifice of His Son. How much they both suffered at the separation! I'm sure that both Father and Son knew that moment was coming, but how they both must have ached at the loss of the other. How much they loved a broken, dirty, sinful, hard-hearted people. How much they loved me! It is almost too much to fathom.
Thankfully, the story doesn't end in separation. On Sunday morning, God rolled that door open. He brought his Son out of the tomb. What a glorious reunion that must have been! He lives! He is, this day, seated at his Father's right hand. He paved the way for us to be with Him in heaven. There was no other way. No other way! One day he's coming back to claim us, and we will no longer experience the pain of separation ever again. What a glorious day!
Here's a video of my absolute favorite song of all time by Casting Crowns! Hope it will lift you up today!
What I all also remember was when things started to change. We began hearing discussions from other parents about sleep training, the need for the baby to learn to be independent . . . at 6 or 7 months. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't bat an eye at those well-meaning friends and other parents who were choosing their own paths for parenthood, but being a new mom (a very tired new mom) I began to question myself. Does he need to learn to be on his own? Would he sleep better if I let him "cry it out" for a few nights? Is he going to be needing me to get him to sleep until he's in college? Let me say, the answer to all of those questions is, NO! But, I had to go along for this ride to learn my lesson, so I put my tiny precious little baby in his bed. He immediately started screaming. Everything inside of me said PICK UP YOUR BABY!! HE NEEDS YOU!!!! But, it seemed that everyone else knew best. I mustered up some courage, turned and walked out and shut the door. I'll give you the short version of this story. . . . I did indeed turn back around and pick up my baby after standing outside a closed door and crying, and although I wasn't convinced after one try, it didn't take long to realize I was not going to make it through if I didn't go with my gut on this issue.
I learned that part of what makes babies so unhappy, even when they are not hungry or wet or uncomfortable in any way, is the pain of separation from the ones they love the most. They have no idea where mom and dad have gone or if they will ever return (that comes later). It is also painful for the parent. I had an almost physical pain at the sound of my baby crying, and not being able to respond. The pain of separation is just as hard on the parent as the child.
Remembering this time in my son's life, got me thinking about the sacrifice of Jesus, God's son. As we celebrated the risen savior on Easter, I thought often of the pain of separation they both experienced at the cross. As Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" I can hardly stand the painful cry of the abandoned child. I also think of the pain for the parent that is on the other side of the closed door. It's not that the Father cannot hear him, He knows his Son is hurting, crying out. He's standing behind that closed door and He can't open it (although he is perfectly able). He can't open it because He loved us so very much, and the only way to redeem us was through the sacrifice of His Son. How much they both suffered at the separation! I'm sure that both Father and Son knew that moment was coming, but how they both must have ached at the loss of the other. How much they loved a broken, dirty, sinful, hard-hearted people. How much they loved me! It is almost too much to fathom.
Thankfully, the story doesn't end in separation. On Sunday morning, God rolled that door open. He brought his Son out of the tomb. What a glorious reunion that must have been! He lives! He is, this day, seated at his Father's right hand. He paved the way for us to be with Him in heaven. There was no other way. No other way! One day he's coming back to claim us, and we will no longer experience the pain of separation ever again. What a glorious day!
Here's a video of my absolute favorite song of all time by Casting Crowns! Hope it will lift you up today!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Welcome!
Here I am finally taking the leap into the world of blogging. I really love reading all types of blogs, and I'm excited to add my voice to the mix. I love to write, but I have always been more of a pen to paper girl. Now that I am beginning my adventures in homeschooling, I am inspired to write about the struggles and successes as a keeper at home. I would love to bless others the way so many wonderful blogs have blessed my family. Being a homeschooling momma means that I spend lots of time at home, not just schooling, but managing all other aspects of the home as well. So, all the things related to home and hearth I intend to share. The Lord has richly blessed us, and I hope to keep a record of notes on our blessings.
I'm so glad you stopped by, and I hope to hear from you!
I'm so glad you stopped by, and I hope to hear from you!
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