Hey guys! I have been on like a maternity leave enjoying all my snuggles with my new baby. (Follow me on instagram “gracefullyfashionable” if you want to see the cutest baby in the world 😉 I am a little bias though 😉 )
I am 7 weeks postpartum now. I recently made a Youtube video sharing my labor and delivery story. Nothing went even remotely close to how I thought it would go.
Induced – heart rate drop – 27 hours in labor – C- Section – Hole in heart
Sadly I feel like my story was everything but joyful. I felt disappointed in my experience and how I felt about my journey so far into mommyhood.
I just had one of the greatest gifts from God, yet there were more tears than smiles.
I wanted to share my story for anyone else who might have gone through something similar. I am learning more and more how important it is for us momma’s to lean on each other.
No one else can relate except another momma who went through the same thing or something similar.
So I hope my story can help you feel comfort knowing you are not alone.
BUT NOW
I am one of the happiest momma’s in the world. I am falling more and more in love with my son each day.
Yes, I am exhausted and sometimes wonder what in the world have I gotten myself into.
But then I snuggle with him or watch him smile up at my face. I get those warm fuzzy momma feelings…
I wonder if the Proverbs 31 woman had as much of a hassle with her schedule? Did she ever feel like she is chasing a never ending list? Or that she considered herself a failure when she didn’t get everything on her list done.
I slightly feel that way while writing this. This was suppose to be uploaded 2 weeks ago… but life happens – sickness, business, work, church, family. Even my daily devotions have been put on the back burner. Did the Proverbs 31 woman struggle like this?
I can not say for certain, but I imagine so. I remember the story of Martha and Mary when Jesus came to their house.
Mary sat down by the Lord and listened to Him. But Martha, was me. I am the girl running around the house before anyone visits, marking my check list, trying to accomplish everything in one day.
Martha finally asked Jesus. I imagine she said this with her hands being tossed in the air while she asked: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone. Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40).
I feel that Martha was waiting for some “oh Martha, you have done so much, the house is spotless, the food smells delicious…”
But instead the Lord said, “Martha Martha…”
Imagine your name… “Brittany, Brittany…
“Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10: 41-42
Instead of cleaning, Mary chose to spend time with the Lord. Instead of cooking an elaborate meal, she chose time to spend with the Lord. Instead of checking a list, she chose time to spend with the Lord.
I want to be like Mary. The greatest thing I can do every day is to spend time with the Lord. As long as I accomplish that, everything seems to fall into place. I am then more encouraged to use my time and talents as gifts from God.
I encourage you, write this verse down. I did and kept it on an index card in my room all through college. Or write it in your planner as a reminder every day.
I initially planned to just write a short introduction and continue on with Proverbs 31: 23-24… But my heart now feels content.
I needed this and I hope you did too. I did not get done my initial idea, my schedule will now be a little off, I spent more time than planned writing this post….
But that’s okay.
“Brittany, Brittany has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
I can’t believe how much I have already learned about this Proverbs 31 woman. She has a virtuous work ethic. She is a virtuous wife, mom, shopper, planner, and early riser with eager hands. All of that from just 9 verses.
Taking time to read these verses and write about these verses has helped me grow in Christ.
So how much more can this virtuous woman accomplish. Oh so much when she puts her heart, mind, and hands to the love of Christ.
Verse 20 – “She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
How often we are so self-focused making sure our own day is going to be okay. We often miss so many opportunities to serve and to be kind. We often say we are “searching” for opportunities to serve…. but when we just slow down, we can find opportunities all around.
I saw a sweet old man the other day at Meijer. He dropped a box he was picking up. I could see him struggling to reach it. It warmed my heart knowing I could easily help him. That same day, I saw another older gentleman lose his car. Me and two other people offered to help him find it.
Who knew that such small actions could be some of our best witnessing for the Lord!
Proverbs 31: 21 – “She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.”
“Not afraid of snow.” Ha! I’m terrified of snow. I am a southern girl living in a midwest world. I don’t drive unless it’s an inch or less. 😉
The color scarlet is a brilliant red. While reading about it, I learned it often is a color of warmth and comfort. Benson Commentary says, “She has provided enough, not only for their necessity, and defense against the cold and other inconveniences but also for their delight and ornament.”
She puts thoughts of kindness into her deeds. She provides necessity and beyond!
Proverbs 31:22 – “She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.”
Tapestry is like a thick textile fabric. It often has pictures or designs on it. This is used for wall hangings or furniture. The verse also says, “She makes.” Is there anything this woman can’t do. 😉
“Her clothing is fine linen and purple.” She takes care of her own needs too!! Needs are not just food, water, and shelter. Women of Christ need to be: spiritually fed with Bible reading and prayer. Physically fed with sleep, exercise, and bubble baths in peace. 😉 . Mentally fed with loyal spouses and friends to uplift you.
Never forget that sometimes the best way to help others needs is to help your own needs first. Christ himself spent personal time with the Lord, instead of preaching and healing. Christ himself enjoyed time with just His disciples, instead of trying to physically help everyone.
The Lord loves you beyond measure…so love yourself.
It’s ironic me currently writing a blog post on work ethic. I’ve taken a nap and only completed two things on my list for today. (It almost 3pm as I’m writing this. 😉 ) But hey, I’m pregnant! Right?!
Honestly though, pregnant or not, you’re going to win some and you’re going to lose some. The key, is handling it gracefully!
Proverbs 31:17 – “She sets about her work vigorously; and her arms are strong for her task. ”
Once again, I love synonyms. Vigorously might not mean the same to every person. I honestly thought vigorously was more intense, more hard core. However, when I looked up some synonyms for it is – powerfully, energetically, eagerly, enthusiastically.
So, it’s not all about how hard you are going to attack a plan or project. Rather how you attack it. Instead of doing your household chores, wifely duties, or projects at work like you must attack it with strength…. What if you attacked it with enthusiasm?
The Bible says – “All hard work brings a profit.” Proverbs 14:23
I imagine the Proverbs 31 woman does all her work the best she can and she does them with a positive attitude.
“Her arms are strong for her task.” Anyone else agree that cleaning house is a form of exercise? 😉
Proverbs 31:18 – “She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.”
A Proverbs 31 woman sees her success. How often as women we see our failures first. I wonder if she struggled with wife duties, mom duties, house duties, and all while trying to not drive herself crazy. I mean back when this was written, they didn’t have deluxe kitchens, Walmarts, or an iPhone.
It all depends on how we measure success. Do we measure it by a clean home? A paycheck? Everything checked-off our never ending to-do list?
Or do we measure it by we tried our best, we have a warm meal tonight, and everyone went to bed knowing they are loved?
Matthew 16:26 – “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, and yet forfeit their soul.”
Please don’t lose who you are in the work you do. You are a beautiful daughter of God. Who you are and your success is found in Christ.
“Her lamp does not go out at night.”
I do not take this literally, I mean the woman has to sleep. But, she is not lazy with her time. She has “work time.” Which probably means she isn’t checking social media or procrastinating. That is another goal of mine.. for my lamp to not go out at night. 😉
Proverbs 31:19 – “In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.”
This verse has to do with working with fabric. I have no sewing skills whatsoever. I made one bag in 4H and let’s just say it’s not my trade.
However, she is providing for her family and teaching her children, servants, and maidens a Christian work ethic. She is a leader by example.
I hope I don’t forget with my upcoming son that more is “caught than taught.” This can apply to your employees or spouse. I hope that as a Christian woman, I can lead by example and not by words.
I’m pregnant!! Ahhh!! It’s still so hard to believe at times.
Becoming pregnant is not like the movies. It is much harder than it may seem. My husband and I tried for 9 months! Finally the Lord blessed us. I could make a whole other blog post about those emotional 9 months. I can’t imagine how hard it is for women who have a harder time than I did. If you are struggling right now becoming pregnant, my heart just pours out to you.
It’s all about the health of the mother and God’s sweet timing.
If you want to watch my youtube announcement video click here!
I wanted to create a real timeline so you could understand my journey.
So let’s travel back in time!
January 2018- I was two weeks late… but not pregnant. That left me heartbroken.
February 2018 – Mother Nature come back regularly.
March 2018 – Hello again from Mother Nature.
April 2018 – Mother Nature – ugh
May 2018 – This period is really getting old.
June 2018 – Well, least I can enjoy my summer……
July 2018 – Is there something wrong with me?
August 2018 – I can’t take this anymore Lord, please answer my prayers.
September 2018 – During the weeks of church evangelism…. We conceived. Ironic timing Lord. 😉
October 14, 2018 – I took a test early Sunday morning and we received the results right away… We were pregnant!
October 20, 2018 – Told my husband’s parents we were pregnant by having a Bible verse written on a pumpkin. Proverbs 17:6.
October 27, 2018 – Told my parents by printing off a June 2019 calendar and marking June 21st.
Pregnancy week 6 – Hello morning sickness. Nausea but not to the point of throwing up. I also dealt with some headaches. No food sounded good at all.
Pregnancy week 7 – Morning sickness lasting till about 2pm everyday.
Pregnancy week 8 – Naps please!
Pregnancy week 9 – First Ultrasound!! Heart beat 173!
Pregnancy week 10 – Made baby Facebook official.
Pregnancy week 11- Starting to get a bump!
Pregnancy week 12 – The beginning of never ended back pain. I was dealing with some sinus issues. I choose to try some Claritin and it did help some. Doctors appointment – healthy, heart beat 160!
Pregnancy week 13- Size of a plum!
Pregnancy week 14 – Mostly dealing with back pain. Morning sickness started to go away, praise the Lord!
Pregnancy week 15 -Starting to feel some “flutters” in my belly. 😉
Pregnancy week 16 – I dealt with horrible neck and shoulder pain. I got my first prenatal massage! I highly recommend! It took my husband giving me a few more massages before my neck got better. Doctors appointment- very active baby! Heart rate – 146-150. He kept moving around so it was hard to find the heart rate. I had eaten Dove chocolate before the appointment. 😉
Pregnancy week 17 – Started to get some sharp pains in my lower abdomen. Most likely round ligament pains. They only lasted for a few short seconds at a time.
Pregnancy week 18 – I felt more movements. I was waking up randomly at 1 and 3 am – was this baby waking me?
Pregnancy week 19 – Started using a body pillow! It helps ease some of the back pain. I was feeling more kicks, but my husband could still not feel them.
Pregnancy week 20 – It’s a boy!! He seems to have long legs and his feet are already 2 inches! Possibly changing my due date by two weeks if he continues to grow at this rate. He was in the 94% range. (Average is 50%). He currently weights 1 pound. His heart rate was 136.
Once the shock of having a boy has set in, I am so excited and can not wait for June 21st to get here. My sweet boys name will be Milo James.
I hope my timeline can be encouraging for those trying, and helpful to those currently in this journey.
I can not wait to see what the next 20 weeks holds for me and baby Milo. Although, if the back pain could stop…. That would be great. 😉
