My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4
"She's the only one I know who smiles while she's in labor." This was spoken a few days ago about a sweet lady who was about to give birth to her fourth little girl. The verses above came to mind.
It's really a beautiful scene if you picture it. A mother laboring to deliver another little miracle into the world, all the while smiling and praying, letting her body do what God created it to do. It's painful and hard, but she smiles in anticipation of the end result. She relaxes so as not to tense up even more preventing her body from doing its work. The more she yields to the contractions, the tightening and the stretching, and, yes, even the pain, the faster her body might finish its work of delivering the baby. Fighting the natural process might prolong her laboring.
It's really a beautiful scene if you picture it. A mother laboring to deliver another little miracle into the world, all the while smiling and praying, letting her body do what God created it to do. It's painful and hard, but she smiles in anticipation of the end result. She relaxes so as not to tense up even more preventing her body from doing its work. The more she yields to the contractions, the tightening and the stretching, and, yes, even the pain, the faster her body might finish its work of delivering the baby. Fighting the natural process might prolong her laboring.
In the end the baby joins the family and rejoicing begins. For mom, the pain lingers for a bit, but soon will be forgotten. A few scars may remain, but they only bring back memories of God's blessing.
For years I struggled to understand the above scripture verses. I'm not sure when I finally came to an understanding, but that sweet picture of a smiling mother in labor helped to illustrate its meaning for me.
God sometimes uses trying circumstances and trials to do his work in us, further conforming us to His image. How do we meet those challenges? Do we cry, "foul," or "injustice," thinking this shouldn't be happening to me; or do we say, "Father, do your work in me," in anticipation of the end result?
Very deep thoughts. One hymn says that God gives us each day what He deems best. I try to remember that usually, there is no growth without trial. But it's always hard to say, "Yes, Lord."
ReplyDeleteChristine
Yes, Christine, hard indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful post. What better example could you give? I don't know. That is one of the few verses that I have been able to memorize and I memorized it as a teen. I am glad that I haven't fought too much when I have gone through trials. I do have battle scars and now I can look back and say wow I remember when....and how God carried me through it. Thank you for the wonderful reminder.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and ((HUGS))
-Mary
Beautiful thoughts! I love pondering scripture in depth like this :)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful devotional post Sharity and such a great analogy. I can just see the woman smiling through it all (not that I can relate with 2 c-sections), but I'll probably remember this every time I read this verse now. :)
ReplyDeleteOh man, girl... That was good. I need to confess in labor or any other hard thing in life this is NOT my attitude. Thank you for sharing!!!
ReplyDelete