I have so very much to be thankful for. Not the least of which is that God has allowed me to be used as a vessel for one of His greatest miracles-creating new life.

The Lord’s plan for life is perfect. A child is created when a man and a woman come together in love. It is the very act of love, the physical expression of love, that creates a new life. In God’s plan, life starts with love.

As this new life has been growing inside me, my body also has been growing and changing in so many ways. God designed a woman’s body to expand and shift and make room for a baby. And then to shift back into place once the baby is born. Such intricate details and mechanics that are beyond explanation.

In His wisdom He has also chosen a way to bond the mother with her baby long before the birth. There is nothing-nothing- in life that can compare to feeling a baby twist and turn and kick inside your womb. Being able to actually feel the life inside my body is such a precious and holy experience that my words sound flat compared to the joy it brings. I am humbled that the Maker of all creation would allow me to be a part of His plan in such an intimate way.

And then the labor and the birth. I know so many women look to this part as horrible and dread it, but it too has purpose. Motherhood is not easy. We are daily stretched beyond our limits. As in birth, there are times we feel we just cannot go on; we feel we don’t have the strength. But we do. God has given us everything we need, and when we reach the end of our strength He is there to supply us with His. I believe there is nothing more empowering as a woman than bringing forth life-it is what He created my body for. We women were given special purpose. Once you have brought forth life from your body, you feel like you can conquer the world. You’ve been pushed past your limits and not only survived but came out on the other side with a miracle in your arms. God did not give this ability to inferior, second-rate citizens as some would like women to believe they are, but to His daughters. He entrusted us-women-with this gift. And how special it is.

And then, to be able to nourish this new life from your very body. The very body that grew this baby now has to privilege to feed and comfort it. I was wrong before when I said that nothing can compare to feeling a baby move in your womb, because there is. Cradling a nursing baby to your chest and having those impossibly tiny fingers reach up and caress your cheek. Moments like those make my heart feel like it is literally bursting with love. To hold those tiny feet and know that every ounce of chub on that little body came from yours is beyond words. The perfect gift from above.

I am blessed beyond measure to be able to be a mother. No other calling on this earth is as fulfilling. This is what I was created for. Thank you Lord.

I know that there are children conceived in less than loving manners, and that there are parents out there doing their best to raise their children in single-parent homes. I also know that there are circumstances that prevent a mother from being able to nurse her baby. I am in no way trying to offend anyone in writing this or passing judgment. I am just writing out of a heart of Joy, Love, and Thankfulness to my Heavenly Father. I know firsthand some of these heartaches and am just thankful for how far He has brought me. Thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you.

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