God Had A Different Plan! (No Comments)

God had a different plan. The world’s plan was for Pam to have an abortion. The plan thought best by the caring staff at CPC was adoption. But God had a different plan.

A victim of early childhood abuse in her biological familyadopted by Christian parents as a resultadoption seemed a perfectly reasonable and loving plan for Pam’s own unplanned pregnancy. That’s what Pam’s adoptive mother thought was best. But God had a different plan

The lingering trauma of childhood abuse was not the only dilemma facing Pam. This trauma resulted in Pam being emotionally immature for her years. Her housing arrangements did not allow children. She would be homeless if she brought this baby into the world and did not choose adoption. The relationship which produced this baby was irreparably broken with no hope of support for the baby or mother likely. Also, Pam was bi-polar. The rapid cycling between elation and depression was controlled with psychiatric “medicine” but these drugs could not be taken during pregnancy. Pam would have to face the normal fears of an expectant mother without these medications. And Pam’s system would need time to cleanse itself of these medicines. Pam was carrying her unborn child during this cleansing period and the doctors warned of possible birth defects as a result.

Donna was assigned as Pam’s “mommy mentor”. Donna’s only qualifications for this assignment were that she too had been adopted as a child, that she too was a mother, and that she was a Christian. At their initial meeting, Pam’s desire to keep this baby and to raise it herself was stated without hesitation. That unquenchable desire to be a “mommy” was all that equipped her for the road ahead. Donna was overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation. She prayed that God would “make a way where there was no way” and help her and Pam through what promised to be a very trying time.

Weeks passed. Donna and Pam spent long hours viewing instructional videos, talking about the day-to-day trials as well as the unspeakable joys of motherhood, spending time in prayerand becoming close friends. Donna was introduced to Pam’s immediate family, participated in Pam’s baby shower, and was with Pam on the day of her delivery. Their only plan was to trust in the Lord with the simple faith of a child.

Today, Pam and Malachi are doing wonderfully well. Pam attends church regularly and is thrilled with motherhood. Malachi is calm, peaceful, healthy and happy. There will be trials. There will be hardship. There will also be the undying mother’s love for her child. Andthatwas God’s plan.

How often do we allow inconvenience, embarrassment, economics, pride, or even political gain to thwart God’s plan? How often does that God-given desire in a woman to give life to that which is in her body, fall by the wayside, a victim to human judgment and frailty? How many wandering souls must appear at Heaven’s Gate to be loved, accepted and wanted only by Him; the One who knew them first in their mother’s womb?

Dallas Wilkinson is a novelist, satirist, and social commentator. He can be reached at http://www.sidekickharry.com

Tags: abortion, , , , , Christian, crisis pregnancy, motherhood, pro life

Fighting the Pregnancy Blahs (No Comments)

Every pregnant woman has experienced the pregnancy blahs. I can remember feeling so big and unattractive throughout my two pregnancies, and secretly wishing for the pregnancy to be over so that I could have my body back and fit into my normal clothes. It’s sad to say, really, because pregnancy is such a beautiful experience and the fact that you created this little human being that is developing in your body should make you feel wonderful through every step of the way.

Oh, but those pregnancy blahs kick in! Your stomach is growing, you cannot fit into your normal clothes, you can’t see your feet, you waddle when you walk, your feet and legs are swollen, and other additional physical changes make you feel, well, blah! Sometime during your pregnancy, you may even start to feel bored with the pregnancy and/or feel depressed. Yes, those raging hormones kick in too.

Here are some tips in helping to beat those pregnancy blahs:

1) Eat healthy and get plenty of rest. Choose healthy foods and ensure that your intake is nutritious.

2) Exercise. Even a short walk in the outdoors will uplift your spirits.

3) Make yourself feel attractive by taking the time to groom yourself. Do your hair and put on makeup. We all feel so confident and alive when we look good.

4) Buy maternity outfits that will make you feel good. Don’t buy just because they fit you.

5) Ensure to include pretty accessories in your daily wardrobe such as nice earrings or a pretty scarf. Most of us raid our spouse’s closet for clothes that we can wear throughout our pregnancy. Lovely accessories even dress up your spouse’s wardrobe.

6) If you start to feel bored with your pregnancy, choose an activity that you will enjoy to help you through the boredom. Many woman will prepare for the baby by going shopping or decorating the nursery. Other woman choose a hobby such as gardening, preparing a scrapbook, writing in a pregnancy journal, etc.

7) Roughly 10 percent of women experience mild or moderate depression during pregnancy. If you feel persistent depression or anxiety, seek professional help.

8) Spend quality time with your spouse. Go for a romantic dinner or out to a movie. Enjoy this time because it’s hard to find time after the baby is born.

9) Take time out for yourself. Motherhood is just around the corner so take this time to enjoy your independence.

Although it may seem like 9 months is taking forever, really, it goes very quickly. Enjoy the wonderful experience of pregnancy each step of the way. There will be a time in our lives when our children have grown up and we wish to live the pregnancy experience all over again.

You can beat the pregnancy blahs! Feel good about being a woman and feel good about bringing a wonderful new baby into the world.

About The Author

Written by Lee-Anne Robert, a mother of two young children and owner of Cuddles ‘n Gifts, http://www.cuddlesngifts.net

info@cuddlesngifts.net

Tags: maternity, , , , motherhood, pregnancy, state of pregnancy

Balanced Mom - Avoid The Nay-Sayers (No Comments)

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” - Winston Churchill

If anyone had told me two years ago that I would write a book, I would have told them they were insane. I didn’t think I knew how to write a book! A whole book? Are you crazy?

And yet…gradually…from listening to the encouraging voices around me, and the passion within me, I realized I could at least try to write a book. I could at least try to get it published. And I would not have been able to muster up the courage, believe me, if I had listened to the nay-sayers. When one acquaintance heard of this endeavor, she remarked “and what makes you qualified to write a book?”. If I had listened to the nay-sayers, people who are often too wrapped up in their own fears to break free of them, I would have slipped back into my own uncertainties, and very likely given up when challenges appeared.

Consider these tips to help you avoid the nay-sayers and stay connected with positive energy as you march towards the pursuit of a dream:

Discover your internal support and stay tuned into it. Whether it’s writing in a journal, doing yoga, walking or jogging in nature, meditating or praying, or something else, discover what gives you internal strength. Stay regularly tuned into that source.
Trust your instincts when others aren’t supportive. It’s likely that some people in your life will not be able to appreciate your courage. Minimize your precious time with those who don’t support you.

Protect yourself from chronic pessimists. Some people are just stuck in their own negativity. It’s nothing personal against you. But they will sap your energy if you let them.

Surround yourself with those who lift you up. Actively create a support system. Invite an encouraging friend out to lunch or out to talk after the kids are in bed. Email or call supportive friends who live elsewhere. Positive energy is really infectious and is often just we need to keep moving forward.

Avoid the nay-sayers, seek out the “You-Go-Girl!” people in your life and keep connected with your internal strength. You will likely enjoy a much smoother path as you take baby steps towards bigger goals.

© 2006 by Bria Simpson
All rights and media reserved.

Bria Simpson, MA
Life Coach and Parenting Specialist
Author, The Balanced Mom Raising Your Kids Without Losing Yourself

Tags: chilren, , , , , , , , family, kids, life, mom, motherhood, parenting, teenagers
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