Life Has Forever Changed...

"Mornin' Mom!"

My first serious case of bed head :)

Well, life has forever changed. Brennan is crawling as of yesterday. I'm learning that the expression "There's trouble when all's quiet" is very true for the first time in my life. :) We are so thrilled to see him working SO hard. Way too cute :) But now, I'm going to have to make sure he can't do any damage on floor level. :) For some reason he loves shoes. So far, when I've left him alone in a room, he goes straight for the closet. That's part's not so cool. Shoes are VERY DIRTY! :)

Along with crawling, he's been super fussy the last 2 days. He's been drooling A LOT! and has been waking up at night, so I'm thinkin it's teething (even though he's only 8 1/2 months and he already has 6!) But over the last couple of days I've been thinking about how I have no idea how unsaved women are able to have children. When William heard me say this he was like " um... let me explain...." lol I didn't mean I didn't understand how unsaved women can concieve... I meant I have no idea how people who are not relying on the promises and strength of the Lord Jesus Christ are able to mother lovingly. Last night, when Brennan kept waking up crying and crying, when I was super exhausted and I could't find either the orajel or the "nose suction thingy" (to clear the congestion from crying/teething), I was, in my flesh, angry,annoyed, and frusterated. 2:30 in the morning is not exactly my perky time :)

But as a believer in christ, I was able to take a step back and gentle pick up my hurting son, hold him, and pray - asking the lord to help me surrender my flesh and love and care for my son with the same love that my Savior poured out on me. I was able to ask for tender compassion towards my son, who wasn't crying to spite me, but because he needed his mother's tender love and compassion through his pain.

I was amazed as I sat in the rocking chair in the dark room at the peace that came over my heart in the midst of his screams and the opportunity I had to care for him with joy. God answered my prayers and I went to bed having pacified him and being amazed at the work that God did in my heart to mortify my flesh and be clothed with His righteousness. Without Christ, I would not have been able to love my son last night during his "unlovliness." I am so grateful that Christ not only gave me the ability to love my son, but that He also bestowed on me and even greater and more perfect love.

Today, the flesh returned with a vengeance... Brennan's irratibility has not ceases all day and he's only napped an hour at a time. But God graciously brought the song to my mind... (I love music)...."Oh how he Loves you and me."

"Oh how He loves you and me, Oh how He loves you and me,

He gave His life, what more could He give.

Oh how He loves you, Oh how He loves me, oh how He loves you and me."

I sang it to Brennan and once again had the peace and love of God flood my heart. It still wasn't easy to serve Brennan with joy, but through Christ, I was able to try and I'm so grateful for that. It gives the ability to not wish away this fussy teething period of life, but to rejoice at the opportunity that God gives us to grow in grace :)

I love you Brennan!