Comments on: A note of encouragement http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/ Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:48:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.2.5 By: Crystal http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43570 Crystal Tue, 25 Mar 2008 23:11:53 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43570 Okay I will confess, I have shed a tear over this in the last few years of my own childbearing, body madness. But in the BIG PICTURE, I think we are a wonderfully funny sex. We love to be beautiful. What a noble thing, but I am pretty sure we have difficulty with our perspectives on what is beautiful. I am thankful for perspectives like what you have shared above Rachel. We really need to not take ourselves so seriously. Consider this, think about the bibles reference to Christ's wounds from the crucifixion. When Mary saw him in his resurrected body he had scars from these wounds and she touched them. Christ will always bear his scars of the wounds he suffered on the cross, the ones he took on our behalf. I realized that I only love him more for it. The reminder of where He has been. His body taken apart for me. How will I ever be an example to my girls in teaching them to be thankful for the sacrifice I have made so they could have life, if I complain about scares or weight that have been left behind from this sacrifice? How will I teach them to not just expect, but look forward to their own marks of motherhood and experience. To get a good laugh at the imagery of deflated balloons and lightening bolt across our bodies. After all, this is all apart of how God has created it to be. Besides my time would be so much better spent if I where much less obsessed with the tone-ness of my belly (or the lack there of,) and much more obsessed with keeping the souls of my little ones in shape. Okay I will confess, I have shed a tear over this in the last few years of my own childbearing, body madness. But in the BIG PICTURE, I think we are a wonderfully funny sex. We love to be beautiful. What a noble thing, but I am pretty sure we have difficulty with our perspectives on what is beautiful. I am thankful for perspectives like what you have shared above Rachel. We really need to not take ourselves so seriously. Consider this, think about the bibles reference to Christ’s wounds from the crucifixion. When Mary saw him in his resurrected body he had scars from these wounds and she touched them. Christ will always bear his scars of the wounds he suffered on the cross, the ones he took on our behalf. I realized that I only love him more for it. The reminder of where He has been. His body taken apart for me. How will I ever be an example to my girls in teaching them to be thankful for the sacrifice I have made so they could have life, if I complain about scares or weight that have been left behind from this sacrifice? How will I teach them to not just expect, but look forward to their own marks of motherhood and experience. To get a good laugh at the imagery of deflated balloons and lightening bolt across our bodies. After all, this is all apart of how God has created it to be. Besides my time would be so much better spent if I where much less obsessed with the tone-ness of my belly (or the lack there of,) and much more obsessed with keeping the souls of my little ones in shape.

]]> By: Rachel http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43530 Rachel Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:05:12 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43530 What a great perspective! Thanks. This Easter was exciting for me, because I was able to pull out my old dresses that I couldn't wear for the last 2 years because I was pregnant or nursing. Despite my battle scars, it was fun to wear the old stuff again. However temporarily... What a great perspective! Thanks. This Easter was exciting for me, because I was able to pull out my old dresses that I couldn’t wear for the last 2 years because I was pregnant or nursing. Despite my battle scars, it was fun to wear the old stuff again. However temporarily…

]]> By: rachelle http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43418 rachelle Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:35:52 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43418 Just this morning I was taking a bath with my 6 month old little girl and thinking how I would not trade a single strtch mark or perfectly tight stomach for the joy I have in watching her splash delightfuly in the tub. Just know that you are not alone...thank you for reminding us as well. Just this morning I was taking a bath with my 6 month old little girl and thinking how I would not trade a single strtch mark or perfectly tight stomach for the joy I have in watching her splash delightfuly in the tub. Just know that you are not alone…thank you for reminding us as well.

]]> By: Kerri V http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43416 Kerri V Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:17:16 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43416 What you say about "a body that has been taken all apart on behalf of another" reminds me of a message preached by our pastor David Bayly some time ago. He mentioned the very same thing - that, if we love Christ, all of us find the glory of life in the death we experience. He specified mothers giving of their bodies for their children...I only wish I had remembered this when I was trying to find something to wear yesterday! I have 5 children age soon-to-be-six, and younger, (no twins in there). So, my body has pretty quickly given way to death while bringing forth life. Thanks for the encouragement! What you say about “a body that has been taken all apart on behalf of another” reminds me of a message preached by our pastor David Bayly some time ago. He mentioned the very same thing - that, if we love Christ, all of us find the glory of life in the death we experience.
He specified mothers giving of their bodies for their children…I only wish I had remembered this when I was trying to find something to wear yesterday! I have 5 children age soon-to-be-six, and younger, (no twins in there). So, my body has pretty quickly given way to death while bringing forth life.
Thanks for the encouragement!

]]> By: Katherine http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43056 Katherine Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:29:54 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-43056 Thanks so much for the humility, sweetness and humor...I so appreciate the good cheer in your posts. I can definitely relate to the post-partum clothing challenges. This is where I eat a little less artisan cheese, keep steady with my Pilates and remember the loving command to rejoice in everything! Thanks so much for the humility, sweetness and humor…I so appreciate the good cheer in your posts. I can definitely relate to the post-partum clothing challenges. This is where I eat a little less artisan cheese, keep steady with my Pilates and remember the loving command to rejoice in everything!

]]> By: LMahar http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42810 LMahar Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:40:11 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42810 Thanks,Rachel. I needed that one. I'm sitting here at the computer at 3:30 in the morning waiting for the doctor to return my phone call, as Alaina my 4 yr old has been vomiting at least every half hour for the past five hours. My husband also has the coast guard duty phone--not a chance we're going to make it to church tomorrow. My youngest, Katrina, is just potty training, so I don't have the whole postpartum thing(although there are a few remains), but what you wrote struck a cord with me,as I feel physically spent in other ways these last few weeks trying to steer us through alot of sickness, doctors appointments, daddy being underway for a few days, and putting in really long hours otherwise. It was just encouraging to be reminded at these wee hours of the morning that that's what Easter is all about-- celebrating our resurected lord and the new life he's given us so that we can freely give to others Thanks,Rachel. I needed that one. I’m sitting here at the computer at 3:30 in the morning waiting for the doctor to return my phone call, as Alaina my 4 yr old has been vomiting at least every half hour for the past five hours. My husband also has the coast guard duty phone–not a chance we’re going to make it to church tomorrow. My youngest, Katrina, is just potty training, so I don’t have the whole postpartum thing(although there are a few remains), but what you wrote struck a cord with me,as I feel physically spent in other ways these last few weeks trying to steer us through alot of sickness, doctors appointments, daddy being underway for a few days, and putting in really long hours otherwise. It was just encouraging to be reminded at these wee hours of the morning that that’s what Easter is all about– celebrating our resurected lord and the new life he’s given us so that we can freely give to others

]]> By: Megan Okimoto http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42754 Megan Okimoto Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:48:53 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42754 I will count myself among the teary-eyed brigade. I'm almost 25 weeks pregnant with baby number five, and I'll tell you there is something worse than getting fat (Did I just say that??!!)...varicose veins. I wish I could show off my fat legs in a dress tomorrow. But I will be hiding the road maps under long pants and support hose. I do believe that the Lord has used mommyhood to remind me that there is much more to life than looking around the room and finding yourself in the top tier of attractive (if unattainable) women. Happy Easter. I will count myself among the teary-eyed brigade.

I’m almost 25 weeks pregnant with baby number five, and I’ll tell you there is something worse than getting fat (Did I just say that??!!)…varicose veins. I wish I could show off my fat legs in a dress tomorrow. But I will be hiding the road maps under long pants and support hose. I do believe that the Lord has used mommyhood to remind me that there is much more to life than looking around the room and finding yourself in the top tier of attractive (if unattainable) women.

Happy Easter.

]]> By: Natalie http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42740 Natalie Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:23:35 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42740 I'm due next week, and the checkout lady asked me if I was "almost done" today while I was grocery shopping. I don't know... but I hope so, because I definitely feel ready to be! This post was very encouraging as I ponder which of my two choices to wear as I waddle around tomorrow! :-) I’m due next week, and the checkout lady asked me if I was “almost done” today while I was grocery shopping. I don’t know… but I hope so, because I definitely feel ready to be! This post was very encouraging as I ponder which of my two choices to wear as I waddle around tomorrow! :-)

]]> By: JulieB http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42674 JulieB Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:20:30 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42674 I've been struggling with something similar too. I'm 7 weeks pregnant, and so excited (we've been trying for over a year and a half). Just prior to getting pregnant I lost 31 lbs, and the process of giving up what I worked so hard for is a challenge sometimes. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who can't wait to see what I look like pregnant. I’ve been struggling with something similar too. I’m 7 weeks pregnant, and so excited (we’ve been trying for over a year and a half). Just prior to getting pregnant I lost 31 lbs, and the process of giving up what I worked so hard for is a challenge sometimes. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who can’t wait to see what I look like pregnant.

]]> By: Allison http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42658 Allison Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:48:17 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2008/03/21/a-note-of-encouragement/#comment-42658 Just for clarification...I wouldn't mind being pregnant again, in fact, I'd be overjoyed. But we haven't been blessed in that way again (extended nursing, I guess). And I just struggle with being in shape and getting my stomach flat, and even then people still think I'm expecting. I was that way BEFORE I was pregnant and it's hard. I'm finally getting back in shape to less than I was before pregnancy, but it's taking a while. Thank you for your encouragement. Really, people should learn not to ask women if they are pregnant, it's just rude. Just for clarification…I wouldn’t mind being pregnant again, in fact, I’d be overjoyed. But we haven’t been blessed in that way again (extended nursing, I guess). And I just struggle with being in shape and getting my stomach flat, and even then people still think I’m expecting. I was that way BEFORE I was pregnant and it’s hard. I’m finally getting back in shape to less than I was before pregnancy, but it’s taking a while. Thank you for your encouragement. Really, people should learn not to ask women if they are pregnant, it’s just rude.

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