Keep Calm And Write On

 I’ve written about self care before, but I’ve been thinking a lot about it again.  The catalyst for these thoughts was this article:  https://forge.medium.com/im-tired-of-basic-human-needs-being-seen-as-self-care-for-women-54ef206e918c When I read the title, I was on board. Then I read the article.  No longer on board.  Now it’s worth mentioning that this article is clearly written from a secular standpoint, whereas I’m writing from a reformed Christian one. Do with that information what you will.  If you lack the time to read the article, here’s the nutshell; the author makes a claim that mothers are overwhelmed with their responsibilities and often see as self-care the basic needs that every human being has. These include bathing, using the bathroom alone, eating, sleeping etc.  okay, sure.  Where she lost me entirely was later in the article, where she made the claim that not only does true self care go above and beyond the basic needs, but it...

 “I would die for my child.” A well-known, often said sacrificial statement. I didn’t really know how my fierce love for my child would manifest until the first time she was extremely upset and I didn’t know why.  Readers, I would have cut off a finger to console my baby.  I would die to protect her.  Both are strong, love-filled sentiments. And both, God willing, are unnecessary.  But there’s a daunting task that is absolutely necessary. At times it needs to be a conscious decision. Sometimes it’ll require taking care of yourself so that you can better care for your child. Sometimes, for some, it will literally seem harder to do than to die for your child.  It’s living for your child.  Postpartum depression can sneak up on anyone, and I’ve heard heartbreaking stories of just how deeply it affects moms. Good moms. Awesome moms It’s too early to tell for me, but unfortunately, I have almost every risk factor there is. But I also have a rocking support s...

 “Occasionally, weep deeply over the life that you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Feel the pain. Then wash your face, trust God, and embrace the life that he’s given you.”  -John Piper I share this quote with some regularity but it seems to be hitting me harder than usual this week. I’m so grateful for the confidence I can have in my God and in what He’s doing in my life because few things are going according to *my* plan. We have our baby girl home with us now, and I have so much respect for parents whose babies are in the NICU for a longer period of time, because three days hurt my heart enough.  So many things surrounding her birth didn’t go according to my original plan.  I wanted to have the house super clean and organized when she arrived That didn’t happen  I wanted to work up until my due date. That didn’t happen.  I wanted to have my baby in my hospital room and not have to waddle down to the NICU to see my baby hooked up to tubes.  I want...