pure joy...

I LOVE newborns... this is magnified by the fact that having a newborn means that I am no longer pregnant-- and I LOVE not being pregnant. My life feels like sunshine... i LOVE my kids, i LOVE my house, i LOVE my husband and i feel so blessed. yesterday i read in the bible of other joy-filled mothers... and my heart echoed theirs- Mary said, "For he that is mighty hath done to me great things..." (Luke 1:49) Elisabeth said, "Whereby the dayspring (dawn) from on high hath visited us." (Luke 1:79) Hannah said, "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord." (1 Sam 1:27-28) In Psalms is perhaps my FAVORITE momma scripture, "He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord." (Psalms 113:9) And, "The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children." (Psalms 115:14) Yesterday in my journal I wrote... As I hold creation in my arms I marvel at the details. Tiny fingernails, perfect lips, puffs of breath and a deep sigh. Eyes rolling open, a concentrated focus, a contented smile, back to peaceful sleepy breaths. Squeaks, stretches, searching sucks- just a moment of knowing as our eyes meet and our souls see. Then a quick reflexive wiggle, a furrowed brow and a tiny whine. I lift and pat and rejoice over a magical burp. We spoke our first understandings. You spoke and I understood. Mouth open wide, searching for me with impatient panting. I gasp gently with the first sucks, but joy over the squeaky swallows and drips of milk seeping out the edges of a busy mouth. I am enough. God and I created this miracle and God and I can nourish and protect you. Once again in complete limp slumber. Belly round and full, gurgling with digestion. Eyes rolling, dreamy smiles. Mine, yet borrowed. A sweet gift of trust from the divine. So small and helpless, yet so wise and inspiring. I remember eternal covenants and vow once again to listen and provide. I am humbled and overflowing with gratitude. I imagine I can still smell Heaven on your breath. Puffs of breath, in and out, joy and peace filling my arms and our lives. Perfect fingers, perfect lips, creation's miracle.