I recently read an article on one of the many new "baby/parenting" websites I now frequent. I've been reflecting on the ways motherhood has changed me and challenged me (both in VERY good ways) over the past two months and one thing that was primarily apparent was a lovely, but difficult lesson in selfishness. Dan and I both have discussed how parenthood challenges us every day to practice selfLESSness. It may sound silly, but as much as you talk about and prepare for a baby to change your life, there are things you simply don't even think about that get affected and force you to make major adjustments to for the benefit of your child. I'm not complaining here...at all. In fact, I love being challenged to be less selfish. Parenthood is indeed a lesson in selflessness: thinking about and taking care of someone other than your SELF (which, hello...society tells us should be who we only look out for and worry about...this truly makes me sick and sad about our culture--but that's another discussion!). It's understandable why so many are hesitant or worried to embark on such a journey. Yes, we thought we were very willing and desiring to start a family; we wanted to nurture and love a child together, but that doesn't mean that sometimes these reminders of our selfish nature still don't hurt a little :) It's a beautiful process that requires a lot of grace...both from God and one another. And believe me, Noah is worth EVERY SINGLE bit of adjustments and challenges in this area.
Anyway, back to the quote I mentioned earlier:
"If there’s ever a time for an overhaul of your daily lifestyle routines, it’s during your baby’s first year. As soon as you bring your precious bundle home, you realize all your old ways of doing things — from the way you liked to watch the morning news to the way you chilled out after a strenuous day at work (au revoir to relaxing in front of the TV) — no longer apply."
- taken from WhatToExpect.com.
Need an example? One thing that I definitely noticed that has changed for me is my morning routine. No longer can I spend an hour getting "ready" in the morning. Forget about those days when you try on three or four different outfits before picking your favorite. Or have a bad hair day that requires extra "primping". Nope. With Noah, he needs us and wants to be around us (and we obviously want to be around him!). So forget, primping and leisurely getting ready each day. Instead, I am now the master at the 5 minute shower and at throwing up a wet head of hair, brushing my teeth while shaking a raddle, and throwing on whatever is on top in my dresser drawer. Now, I want to note that I'm not saying that every thing we do to better our selves or for enjoyment is selfish really. Not at all. I'm a firm believer in taking care of your health (mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially) for sure. That's not selfish, but important and necessary But I'm sure we can all think of things we do each day to meet our own wants and needs that truly are not a priority in our lives. These are the things I'm referring to here.
I love our little man with everything in me and am truly so thankful for this lesson I am learning since he arrived. Because really, I never needed to spend so much time getting ready each day... lets be honest. I'm humbled as I learn this lesson. I'm also so blessed to have Dan with me on this fun-filled ride as we learn to practice and show love in the best way possible, selflessly.
xoxo
No comments:
Post a Comment