My husband, Jacob, and I recently had a beautiful baby boy, Charles. We’re praising God for him! He is such a wonderful and awe-inspiring gift. Unfortunately, though, the delivery included complications for me that have taken a long time to heal and I am still recovering. This has not been the postpartum experience I had expected or planned, and it has been difficult.
God has chosen to use this season of difficulty to really show His love and faithfulness and goodness through the church. Our community within Harbor and the greater Church in Mobile has blessed us so much through meals, text messages, coffees, visits, and on and on.
These acts of love towards us have brought, and continue to bring, glory to God. They are a testimony of his care for his people through his church. They testify that hard seasons are not devoid of His love, in fact, they are all the more likely to display it.
In my time of weakness, where my husband has to take care of our son more than I anticipated, and take care of me as well, God has given me an opportunity to worship. A time to worship Him for the love of a husband, the gift of a newborn, and the gift of a compassionate church loving us through practical care and encouragement. This has been a time of trial and worship, grace in pain, and faith in battling fears as complications continue.
Birth and postpartum complications are a result of the fall. The good news of the gospel tells us Christ came and lived a perfect life, atoned for our sins by his death on the cross, rose from the grave and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. He has redeemed his people and he has redeemed this season in my life. My faith has been challenged to trust the goodness of God through all situations. Every complication and pain has led me to the foot of the cross. I’m filled with thankfulness as I see him answer again and again through the care of my husband and our church. In this world we will have trials, but we also have peace surpassing understanding and joy inexpressible because of the new life we have in Jesus. God is good, all the time. He is with us even in the painful seasons. He has brought me comfort and peace, and a deep reassurance of his goodness no matter the circumstance.
I didn’t expect postpartum to be this way, to be a season of growth and thankfulness and to hold a new appreciation and love for Jesus, my family, and my church. It has been a hard season, but a very good season because of our very good God.
Thank you to our church, and ultimately to God. To God be the glory as he continues to enable His people to love and serve well. Praise God.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:34-35