Friday, July 4, 2008
A Very Happy 4th!
This day a year ago, we were on a plane headed to China. Our lives were going to change forever. I had no idea what to expect, but I know I didn't expect it to be this good. There are so many nay-sayers out there, and sadly, many of them are parents. I wonder if many people go into this with their eyes wide shut, not realizing the enormity of the responsibility they were undertaking. During the wait for Lily, so many people would tell me what they saw as the negatives of parenting. "You'll have to sacrifice so much." "You'll never sleep again." You won't be able to do anything you want to do." "You won't be able to travel any more." One of the comments I heard the most were when parents came in to the school office where I worked with their unruly children saying, "Are you sure you want to do this?" If anyone was going to turn me off from being a parent, it was surely going to be these people. But I knew I had a higher calling, and that this was not only my dream, but this was God's will. God put this desire on our hearts and no amount of negativity was going to keep the will of God from happening. So far, we have proven every single one of those nay-sayers wrong. Sure, I have to scarifice some, but not nearly what I expected and it is my joy to sacrifice what little I need to for my daughter. Sleep? I am blessed to have a daughter who sleeps 10-11 hours a night, and sometimes even a nap during the afternoon. I am able to do plenty of things I want to do. Not always at the very moment I want to do them, but I am able to still do the things I did before. Lily travels very well. We have been to Palm Springs, Austin, TX and in August we will all go to Medford, OR. And am I sure I want to do this? A thousand times yes. Not once since Lily was put in my arms have I ever questioned if this was the right thing to do...even during the tough moments. I am not denying that parenting is sometimes tough, but nothing worth doing is easy all the time. As we celebrate our independence today, may you cherish every moment with your child(ren) and may we all remember the true sacrifices that are the reason we celebrate today. God Bless!
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5 comments:
It is always sad to hear parents expressing the negative about raising their children...especially within hearing of their own children. God says children are a blessing and a reward...and as God knows so well...parenting isn't always easy...but He promises to guide us and help us! Wow...the God of the Universe says He will help us raise our children?? Can't see any negatives in that!!
Happy Independence Day...and may God continue to Bless your family!
How right you are in everything you say! There is no sacrifice in what you 'give up' when what you receive in return is so monumental and wonderful.
We too had tough months, tough nights and tough days; with attachment and with PI issues. But now - at 6 months home - I am blessed with the world's most incredible, wonderful child (I know, we all say that :-) !) Like you, I didn't know it could be this good or that love could deepen and grow every day.
It is my joy and my good luck to have the chance to 'sacrifice' my old, empty life for the incredible opportunity of being a mother.
Parenting is by far the toughest job out there, but also the most rewarding!
And those little hugs and kisses go a long way!
I never realized that there were actually people who would say negative things about what you were doing when you chose to expand your family.
"You'll never be able to do anything you want to do"??? Anyone who knows you and Robert at all would have know that what you wanted to do more than anything was to be parents! And you are the most wonderful ones, with the best little girl in the world. You waited so long, and you did all the travel, etc. It's only for a short time that they are babies (too short). I know that you have loved every moment, even the difficult ones. Your Lily is is little slice of heaven on earth. Happy anniversary.
I love this post. You are exactly right. Anything worth doing is worth any sacrifice. And, while I might catch myself complaining or heavily sighing, the Lord always reminds me how I am exactly where He wants me to be, and I focus on the blessings He has given us in our children.
I am so excited for you, and I pray the next years are as full of blessings for you and Robert as the first one was!
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