Like most expecting mothers who daydream about their newborn, I had pictured calm, quiet, and soothing moments in a rocking chair as I held my sleeping baby.
A few weeks after I delivered Olivia, what I actually found were frantic, exhausted moments on the couch downstairs while I tried to let Joel sleep upstairs as I swayed with my crying infant. And when I'd had as much as I could take, I'd hand her off to Joel and he would take his turn.
Picturesque? Not quite. Reality? Absolutely.
A few weeks later, Joel installed one of those wall-hanging CD/Radio players in our bedroom so I could play some soothing music...usually as I cried. It didn't take much for the tears to flow, and there wasn't much that could comfort me except for music that focused my thoughts on God. As soon as I'd push the play button, I would take a huge sigh and let the worship music wash over me. Sometimes I would sit and pray and let the music guide me because I was too tired to think up words for prayers. Ever been that exhausted? Where you can't string a sentence together, so you just hope that the Lord can feel your heart instead and know what you're trying to say?
I love this new CD that just came out - I feel like it would be the perfect compliment to those moments. On the one hand, I was overjoyed at my sweet, healthy newborn in my arms. On the flip side, I had never been more scared in my life. I feel like I've finally found an album that honors both emotions! Its soothing lullabies that your baby would love, mainly instrumental tracks, but your mind hears the familiar comfort of songs like "Voice of Truth," "Cry Out To Jesus," and "How Great Is Our God." If you know someone who is having their very first Mothers Day this weekend, this is a must-have gift.
Here's the best news: I'm giving away 30 copies! That's right, 30! And all I ask is that you leave a verse in the comments section that has encouraged you when you were feeling low and exhausted. I ask this because I remember how helpful scripture was to me when I was a new mother. I was filled with anxiety and panic most of the time, and the only thing that could help me get through the hard moments was praying Gods word, often times out loud, and clinging to His promises.
I'll go first with my scripture: The one that brought me through thick-and-thin was given to me by my co-host, Tom. I think Olivia was about 7 days old, and I told Tom I was really scared. Tom said: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 I would recite that over and over, and picture in my mind God replacing all my fears with a sound mind. It really brought me through. Well, that and some medication. :-)
So please leave your scripture in the comments section - and if you are one of my 30 winners I will contact you right away, because I have all the CDs here at my desk.
Happy Mothers Day to you!
Sarah
35 comments:
Loved the post.. You took me back down memory lane.. It's funny how in the moment you think you will never get through something and then in a blink it's 10 years later and you wonder where that time went and actually miss those moments that were the most trying because that's when you realize you were the closest to Jesus..
I have to list two verse that really helped me through those "What have I gotten myself into moments" and I pray that they will minister and speak comfort to those new mommies out there that feel so defeated and over-whelmed..
Joshua 1:9- Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
and
James 1:2-4- Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Blessings..
Jen
Mine has ALWAYS been Isaiah 40:31. Those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
This is EVERY DAY for me. Not only with those trying days of motherhood when trying to stop a 2 year old tantrum but also in nursing school. There are days when I just feel as though I could explode because of the stress and on most days I feel like I am inadequate. We have to have hope. Hope that He will get us through.
There are many, but these few go through my head a lot.
Jer 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, and are called according to his purpose.
And the one that I have taped to my cupboard as a reminder everyday (you know how it is living with a two and a half year old):
Gal 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Hey - "The Mama" Jen and mother of "Isaac Dakota" - send me your contact info at sarah@spirit1053.com so I can mail you your CDs. I don't know how else to contact you. Eva, I got your address, thanks!
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
~Kimberly Dunphy
Very sweet and very much like the life that I have lead in the past two years. Here is mine:
Jerimiah 29:11-13
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart."
I know that we have heard this a thousand times before, but when times are tough and I am overwhemled with EVERYTHING that life has been throuwing at me, specifically my children and all their different stages they go through. It is comforting to know that He has planned much more then 'in this moment'. And that it will bring me back to Him when I forget.
I know this is not a verse but Jesus loves me, when I am weak He is strong rocking my kidos to sleep usually brought me to tears....i am not alone, ya know?
I was just blessed with our second son 2 months ago and am now struggling with the emotions of trying to care for our 2 year old who is having a little trouble adjusting (and has decided to give up his nap this past week) and our newborn. Although I wouldn't trade it for anything this week especially has been trying:)
My favorite verse to remind me that this is just a "season" in my life is
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season to every activity under heaven.
Margy:)
margyrichardson@rocketmail.com
My goodness, this is so awesome! If I don't win the CD, I am totally going to ask the hubby to pick it up for me as a "surprise" just-because-I-love-you gift. We have a Disney lullabies CD that we play EVERY night and naptime. We bring it on overnight trips with us because we love it so much. And Emma does too.
Also, I was completely going to write the exact same verse as you wrote. Except the one I recite is a different translation. "For God did not give me a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline." I've used that prior to job interviews and other big professional moments in life but it's also so comforting in those quiet emotional moments at home. The Spirit fills us with love ... power ... and a self-discipline/sound mind. I love how great God is. With Him and with those three qualities in us, we can do and accomplish anything.
Thank you for telling us about this CD which has just GOT to be beautiful and also for allowing us all to share our favorite verses. I can't wait to see what everyone else suggests.
AK & Mandy, I need your contact info as well. :-) Email me at sarah@spirit1053.com and I'll mail you your CDs.
Matthew 11:25-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light
shoot that last "anon" was me, i'm new to this!!
Patty, thats ok! Send me a email and I will send you your CD.
I'm noticing a trend here...
Hey, sweet commenters? Can you leave me some contact info in your comment so I can get a hold of you? :-)
I love the whole book of 1 Peter, but one verse stands out to me the most:
1 Peter 1:8
"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an expressible joy."
Just because we don't physically see Him doesn't mean He isn't there with us.
jagilroy@gmail.com
Psalms 127 3-5
Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
ryanjilldolan@yahoo.com
Dearest Sarah,
I heard about this CD the other day~! What an fabulous idea!!! Thank you for your transparent heart! You are being used to change many lives!
One of the MANY verses God has given me in this adventure in mothering is Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
There are MANY times it seems like I am fretting about one thing or another in regards to my role as a mother. I am being reminded constantly to lay it all down and trust the God who entrusted my two boys to me. Believing, in faith, that He will give me everything I need to love them well and protect their spirit, mind and body. I HAVE to lay it all down and let Him work out the details I cannot control. I need to remember His words even more and let them be the very foundation my feet tread upon. Thanks for allowing me to share one of my favorite verses. :) You are bringing the Lord much glory. Keep up the good work! In Him, Sara Guilfoyle
I can SO identify with your memories of caring for a newborn and praying to the Lord saying, "There is no way I can do this without you, Lord". It is so overwhelming (especially at first). I suffered from severe postpartum depression with my first baby, so the overwhelming feelings were heightened...but I remember feeling like I needed the Lord's presence more than ever after BOTH my kids were born.
One of the verses that I clung to was made into a song, "You are my Hiding Place" taken from Psalm 32:7 "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from my trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance".
God Bless you, Sarah!
Amy Himple
himples@gmail.com
Jeremiah29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lords, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. My middle name is Hope. My mom always wanted me to have Hope so she gave me Hope for a middle name.
darahgates@yahoo.com
for me with my two boys, solomon & moses, the verses that helps me is
matthew 6:25-27
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
remember these word really helped me when i was holding that newborn thinking "what am i suppose to do now??" it's so comforting to know that God is there to take care of us. no need to worry.
All os Psalms 121 is so great!
I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
This CD sounds awesome!
melody@corbinphoto.com
I don't know why but Psalm 23 has always read to me like a little lullaby. When I was in the midst of those interesting postpartum nights, I could clearly visualize David writing these words, after all he had gone through, his ever peaceful spirit strikes me. Talk about encouraging!
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Thanks for sharing Sarah! Blessings,
lyndseylee3@hotmail.com
Gah! I remember it all so well. What a scary time, but all the while you are growing. Looking back on it now, I see how blessed I truly was. The verse that I had glued to my brain was a simple one...
I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me. Philippians 4:13.
I even had this verse up on the wall, so I could look at it every day. It helped, I'm sure of it! (o:
Ooops! Sorry, my email address is: rolawna@gmail.com
The verse that plays over and over in my mind during those tough times as a new mom is Isaiah 40:31 "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." It encourages me to be looking to the Lord for the strength I need!
Sarah
cordova_sarah@hotmail.com
Sarah, this is a truly lovely gift for the one who needs the comfort that only the Holy Spirit can provide...as you well know! Shiloh is due with her 5th (finally a girl!) in a few days, and I think this would be an awesome surprise for her, even if I end up going out and buying it myself. The verse I will contribute is Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."
Thanks for all you do for the Kingdom of Christ, Nancy
My verse is John 16:33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
I just love thinking about that when I get in despair about how the ways of the world always seem to be better, I know my God has overcome!
Sarah,
Thanks for sharing your heart! Being a mom has so many emotions! We need eachother and we need the Lord! I am looking forward to reading all the other Mom's verses too! What a blessing!
I have two verses to share ~
Isaiah 40:11
"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."
AND
Psalm 121:1&2
"I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."
This CD looks awesome!
Thank you!
Vicki
I'm a new blog follower, having found you through Liz Jordan's site in Houston. We are expecting our first baby, and I laugh because I imagine just what you describe in the BEGINNING of your post...but I think I will start equipping myself with scripture now. :) I tend to think of things like: Psalm 59:17 "O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love." Great blog!
Phil 4:13 "I can do anything through him that gives me strength" (even be a mother!) xoxo
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11
God is faithful and all things work together for His glory and according to His will! Praise God! :-)
Tawny
What gets me through the fog?
Phil 4:13
I can do anything through He who empowers me.
This is great! My little boy is 10 weeks old and has been wonderful, it's me that's had the issues since his birth (pneumonia, perforated uterus, etc.)
We had a night when he was 3 weeks old, I was incredibly sick with pneumonia, wearing a mask 24/7 to protect him from any germs, crispy dry hands from all the hand sanitizer and trying to nurse my sweet baby when I just ran out of milk. He was so hungry and I had noting for him. We tried the formula we got from the hospital but it was too harsh and he threw it up as soon as it hit his stomach. I paced and cried and prayed as I tried to convince him that his pacifier was what he wanted.
God thankfully answered my prayers and eased his hunger a few more hours until his next feeding and gave me enough at that point to sustain him again. The verse that I've found comforting is short, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I sanctified you." Jeremiah 1:5
but it reminds me that God knows and made me, just as he knows and made my sweet boy and because of that he knows exactly what we both need and will provide.
Thanks for posting this, I loved reading everyone else's comforting scriptures!
~Christina
bcjohnson2@comcast.net
Mine is Isaiah 43:3
"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."
It reminds me always that no matter what God is with me, knows me and what I'm going through and will support and protect me and my little one. It's also helpful that I know 2 songs that are based on/use these verses so I often find myself singing or humming the tunes which always helps to calm my spirit.
- Jennifer
candjmccoy@msn.com
I just saw this post and we have been going through an incredibly hard time. All of you that posted a verse you can not imagine how they have spoken to me. Jerimiah 29:11 is my life verse. Thank you Sarah for your words of encouragement on twitter it came at a time today that I really needed to hear. God works in the most amazing way. Praise God!!!
I am going to be a first time mom and I wold love to have this CD. When I get overwhelmed with the thought that I am going to be a new mom this scripture helps me:
I cast the whole of my care [all my anxieties, all my worries, all my concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for me affectionately and cares about me watchfully.
I Peter 5:7
Caitlin Siefner irishgal7@hotmail.com
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