Birthing Pains

Some of the hardest physical work a woman will do is give birth. Intense focus, energy, and physical strength are required to push the child down the birth canal.  Birthing classes taught me that the transition phase of labor was the most painful, but that the child is usually just minutes away from appearing. At this point, though, exhausted and in intense pain, many times a woman will want to back out of having a natural childbirth. Although she knows the infant’s arrival is imminent, she is overcome with the immediacy of the pain and will do anything to seek relief. Her pain short sights her of the joy of seeing the tiny face of the one created within her.

Life can be like labor. When we go through tough painful seasons, we want out, no matter what it costs. Most of the time, though, the breakthrough is closer than we think. You have heard the saying, “It’s the darkest before the dawn.” Daybreak, full of its glorious light and hope, follows the deepest darkest period in the night sky.

Many times, when something new is birthing in our spirit or life, we become weary. I worked on my first book for 2 ½ years during the 6-year stent of being my father’s caretaker.  His health was failing as I began the book, just a year and half into my writing.  I juggled time between writing, having opportunities to influence 10 grands under 8 years old and caretaking my Dad. It was one of the most challenging seasons of my life. The year following my Dad’s promotion to heaven I devoted most of my time to the completion of the book The book was published one year after Dad went to heaven.

Transitioning is hard. We are all creatures of comfort and change doesn’t come easily. But for there to be growth, there must be change. For there to be a rebirth, renewal, or restoration in our lives, we must be willing to walk through the tough stuff. A caterpillar painfully pushes its way through the cocoon and is transformed into a butterfly. No one can assist it or the mission is short changed and aborted. It is through the struggle that the transformation takes place.

We would have more peace if we could recognize this in our lives, and in the lives of our children. They, too, need the struggle. But many parents sabotage their growth by stepping in to make life easier for them. What they truly need is our prayers. Prayers of faith and trust that the Holy Spirit will have His way in their lives and will carry them through their own personal transitions.  Character and faith are forged in the struggle. God is preparing them for something special and as parents we must give God the freedom to do the work only He can do.