Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
I’ve always found Mary’s response to the shepherds sharing what the angels told them sweet, but now, as a new mom it holds new depth. Mary wasn’t just being sentimental, she was being wise.
A new mom with new experiences
One week ago I gave birth to my first born, a little boy, Anthony William. So many new experiences. Labor, holding his new little life, nursing him, seeing him with his daddy, seeing him with his grandparents, witnessing my sister beam with joy as she first laid eyes on him and was officially an aunt. Watching our families all this week find reasons to “drop something off” just to grab a few baby snuggles. First car ride, first night at home, first bath…so many firsts.
My heart is full.
But my heart isn’t full because of these things, it’s full because of how I’ve chosen to view these things and what I’ve chosen to focus on.
A renewed perspective
I could easily focus on all the diaper changes (SO much POOP!), lack of sleep, soreness from breastfeeding and delivery, etc…Or, I could choose to focus on that which fills me up. That which is good and reminds me of the Good Father I have in heaven Who has never failed to give me what I need when I’ve needed it.
As days turned into Anthony’s first week, and his first week will turn into his first month, I plan to hold him a little longer, look at him a little deeper, let my gaze linger as he nuzzles into his daddy, and not rush on to the next thing. I intend to be like Mary, to treasure these moments, to savor them so that gratitude pours from my heart like a never ending spring.
Something to treasure
I encourage you, whatever your season may be, search for the things you can treasure and ponder. Allow God to reveal to you all that you have to be grateful for and cherish it in your heart. Some seasons it’s definitely easier to find those things than others, but there are always reasons there.
“I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
From a new momma over 2,000 years ago and from this new momma; this is good. This is wise.
