Hello, Motherhood!
(PS: I am typing this at the table with my little human strapped to my back and me desperately trying to get as many words in as possible because now my hands are always full, quite literally and figuratively. Let this be a reminder that you are never alone in the trenches).
I recently became a mother to a sweet little one, and this new phase has brought with it so much growth and evolution. It’s like I am a newer version of myself, so to speak, as I have evolved physically, physiologically, psychologically, spiritually, and socially.
This evolution has been quite interesting but not easy to adjust to or even accept most of the time. I have struggled with accepting some aspects of this new version. I am also learning that many women have these same struggles. Some parts of the changes motherhood brings are just difficult to welcome as one’s reality.
However, I somehow stepped into motherhood with the conscious determination to give myself grace. I am not entirely sure where this determination came from. Looking back now, I think it may have to do with the fact that I had such a difficult pregnancy. I was sick 70% of the time and in a lot of discomfort in various forms almost throughout the pregnancy. During that time, I still had a lot of boxes to tick and deadlines to meet, and so I learned to separate my expectations from my reality and actually live in my reality.
Imagine this: I used to be the kind of person who would not realize that I was ill until the day I quite literally could not get out of bed in the morning. So imagine my utter shock when pregnancy kept me pinned to my bed for weeks on end while I had my to-do lists piling up. This was when I started learning to give myself grace; to let go completely of how I thought things should be, what I previously thought was an “ideal pregnancy” for me, and take it one day at a time.
Despite the fact that I had slowly come to this decision, I really struggled with this throughout pregnancy, and I fought with my body and my mind every day. Notwithstanding I think that was definitely the beginning of the acceptance, and the start of my motherhood journey.
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During this time, I also reflected a lot on GOD’S GRACE. The special privilege of being able to carry and nurture life within me always made me wonder at how truly amazing God is. Thinking about all the changes my body went through step by step, every day, for the most part of a year to bring forth a whole human being just made me appreciate how wonderful God is. I marvel every day at the stretching and the grace He equips me with for it – stretching that I never knew was possible, to lengths I would have never thought possible. God’s special grace for motherhood.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
It was really in my weakness that I learned to lean on God’s grace that has carried me to this point. The numerous things I have needed to do still got done, but certainly not by my own strength – by the grace of God. Our little human has not come as a burden but has introduced me to a new dimension of grace for motherhood and given me the ability to shine even brighter than I ever have.
His smiles are always the highlight of my day. That’s the only way he communicates contentment, joy, and satisfaction to us, and so I cherish it every time he does. I think that at this point I live for them. They warm my heart so much and give me motivation to go on, especially when I’m weak and exhausted. It’s my fuel for living.
And so I have decided to name this series “Grace and Giggles; Finding Joy in Motherhood.” I hope that this becomes a space where you, my dear reader, find reassurance that you are not alone in the throes of parenting, in trying to figure things out and do the best for your baby(ies) while still becoming the best version of yourself. I hope you are reminded to give yourself grace through the process every day, to draw strength from God always, and to find motivation in the little joys your babies bring each day.
Please look forward to each post, stick around, and share your own thoughts and experiences with me.
Welcome to Grace and Giggles!
