I, under normal circumstances, would never post a picture of my stomach for facebook to see...but, I have been feeling for a few months, that the Lord wants me to post this... I have been fighting with Him about it for months because it just seems ridiculous, but I am convinved someone needs to see and read this so here goes...
I have seen many many many posts, pictures, blogs, magazines, teen moms pictures... all of which showing pictures or talking about post baby bellies. Some, looks great. Others, not so much. And as us first time pregnant momma's flip through those articles or magazines or pictures, do we not say a silent prayer like, please, dont let my stretch marks look like that... I mean, come'on if we're honest right? Or right after baby is born how many of us are focused on, lets lose that baby weight and look like we did before? I cannot tell you how many times I've had someone say to me "Megan, wow you look great you've lost all your weight"... Why are we so obsessed with this? Why do we put so much emphasis on this after we've grown a human being in our stomachs for 9-10 months? I hope to shed some light on this and also reveal what my belly looks like 6 months post baby, if this sounds like something you're interested in, keep reading ;)
The feeling of sacrifice is hard to grasp with an infant/baby/toddler and maybe even a teenager or an adult child. An infant can not thank you for getting up at 11AM and 3AM and 5AM to change a diaper or feed them. A baby cannot say thank you for locking the baby gate to keep them from falling down the stairs. A toddler may not say thank you for making them eat their vegetables when they dont want to. Lets be honest, being a Mother is a thankless job.
Us mommies all talk about our stretch marks, we may show disgust, or frustration or disappointment. But as I stare at the sight of my body, I am thankful. I am thankful that I have a little boy. I am thankful that God has allowed me to have my own children as many cannot. I am thankful that it took 15 months of trial, questions, and learning to trust in-order to conceive him. I am thankful that my love for my son is unconditional and that its allowed me to understand the way Christ loves me. I am thankful for every divot, every wrinkle, every stretch mark, every dark circle, every torn muscle. I am thankful and honored that I could grow my son and I would not consider, for even a second, to trade my shiny, flat, tan, non wrinkled belly for my son.
This was my son's home, where he grew, where he learned to see and hear. Where the Lord formed his little toes and fingers. Where his heart beated for the first time. This is my badge of honor, the tiger stripes for the effort put forth for months, dont be ashamed, or embarressed of yours, they arent THAT bad! ;)
Ecclesiastes 3:10-12 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
Thank you. I think I needed this. It's comforting to know that I'm not alone. I hear other moms say it's genes or their stomach goes back flat afterwards but yet mine I look like I'm 3 months pregnant. For a while it was really bothering me.
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