Beginnings – Gen 1:1a “In the beginning, God.”

The room overflowed with smiling faces dressed with beaming anticipation of joy.  Nurses scurried in the background preparing for the new arrival leaving blurred streaks of pink dotted across the tan-colored walls.  Preoccupied with the formidable task at hand, I focused on the instructions directed toward me, watching carefully for the face we waited 9 months to see.  Tears muffled the laughs as her meow like cry met our ears, piercing our hearts as we locked gazes and embraced her.  A new beginning, a new chapter, a new journey full of mystery, joy and frankly a little bit of fear bubbling out of a space of uncertainty.

Motherhood, it's complicated!

Motherhood is full of beginnings, ushering in questions of “what now” mixed with wonders of “what is to come”.  As I gushed over my new baby, the gravity of the responsibility became increasingly more apparent with each passing minute.  Her bright white eyes beautiful, unmarred by exposure to the unfiltered world highlighted to me, I held a clean slate of potential bound in her delicate little package.  What a tremendous responsibility?!  At that moment, a degree of helplessness and inadequacy cascaded over me.   At the beginning of my motherhood journey, I felt what few other times or events in life can stir, a level of anxiety, guilt and worry with a sense of being lost and ill-prepared while simultaneously experiencing joy, giddiness and overwhelming love.  Complicated isn’t it?!  In this mish mash of emotion crashing within us there’s wonderful news right there in the first 4 words God writes in His book to His children!  He is in the beginnings! 

He is in the beginnings!

There is the good news!  It means we are not alone!  It means we stand with the one who knows the way and who has already made a plan.  It means that by looking to Him to guide us so we do not fall flat on our faces but if we stumble, we can expect Him to be there standing nearby, arms outstretch just as a mother would as her child takes those first solo awkward steps.  So whether you are stepping out into a season as a new mom, becoming a mom of multiple children, a mom returning to the workforce or leaving the workforce for full time at home mom life, a mom navigating the changes of going from infant to toddler, crawler to walker or compliant to temperamental, or a mom beginning a home school program or helping your child with special needs or other unexpected diagnosis He is present in the beginnings just in arms reach ready to catch you while you get your footing.  He stands in the midst of your beginnings, holding your hand while you keep moving.  Do not fear your new beginning because He is in there to meet you, to help and to guide you through it.  He is moving in it to shape you as He designed.  

See Him in the beginnings

Knowing He is in the beginnings, we can look for Him there.  He might be there as the friendly smile signaling it’s okay, you got this or speaking through one with sage advice or wisdom from personal experience.  He might whisper into your soul through a book you read or song you heard.  He is that whisper in your soul we refer to as motherly instinct leading you on how to mother your child.  Since He has already taken residence in our situation, our new season and constructed it for the purpose and call He has for us He has provided for us everything we need to accomplish the task.  2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us in his own glory and goodness”.  Because we know Him and are called into the mission field of motherhood, we know we have everything we need.  With God, you are never alone.  So let us enter our new beginnings with courage and walk boldly in faith, seeking Him for each step as we go along the way.

Sow the seed:    He is there in the beginnings. 

As you walk into your new season, start each day by acknowledging His presence with thanksgiving.  Ask Him to help you perceive His presence as you go through the day. 

Nurture the seed:  

• Matt 28:20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ESV

• Is 30:21 “and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.” (HCSB)

• Phil 4:13 “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” HCSB

• Jos 1:9 “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with your wherever you go.” (HCSB)