Dear Postpartum Nurse

 Dear Postpartum Nurse,

     My nieces are starting to have babies and soon my own girls will, too. I want to be in the room and that's not always possible, but they have you. I hope you see your opportunity to help them through this time. There's been celebrations, parties and excitement, but now they might be wondering "Where is mine?"

   Everything has changed in the last 24 hours for this new mom. She's imagined sunshine and rainbows, but this is a foreign land she's yet to know.

   Someone needs to tell her it's going to be okay. That she'll have friends and loved ones to hold her hand every step of the way. Maybe her family has no "pray-ers", but that's okay, she has you. You can hold her hand and beneath your breath say a prayer for the days to come. You don't have to say anything with your words, for she'll see it in your eyes: you care, you've been there, and she'll trust your advice. The doctor has slipped in and out, but you're there to stay for at least a day or two.

   There's a lot of information about how to care for this new bundle of joy, but what's happening inside of her, possibly no one's prepared her for. That's okay, because she has you. A friend she never knew. A friend to tell her that in the days to come, she'll possibly feel strange in this new land she's known nothing of.

    Encourage her to take one day at a time, and tell her she'll learn as she goes. Remind her that everything she needs as a mom is already within her; that she'll sit back and watch it flow.

   She'll need to trust her instincts and be patient with herself. Don't try to figure it all out today because the years will unfold the rest.

   When discharge day comes and you've done your part, know that this new mom will carry you in her heart. You've listened to her questions, her hopes and her fears. Now she's off to venture into this land called motherhood, full of hope, because of you!

   Thank you!

   Sincerely,

   One who really wants to be in the room. 

Postpartum nurses are medical professionals who care for mothers and newborns during the days following birth. They use a wide range of professional skills to provide physical and emotional support to mothers during their recovery period.

If you or a loved one are struggling with postpartum depression, know that you are not alone. You are not selfish. You are not a bad mother. If you choose to seek professional help, there is nothing selfish or wrong about that. This is a safe space for mothers, and motherhood, just like life itself, is a journey. If you are a mother, you are safe, you are loved, and if you are struggling, know that you are not alone.  

The Horse in the Dining Room

      I woke up at 3 a.m. this morning (not this exact morning ;)...this was written last March in the thick of quarantine) with a desire to pull away and study the subject of grace. A desire to get alone, uninterrupted, and dive into the scripture for myself, and just see where I'd end up. I've had times and seasons like this with God, don't get me wrong, but it's been a minute. I'm glad to be back; back to believing, back to trusting, back to hoping!

      I want to shout it from the rooftops: "I'm Hoping Again!" But hope is one of those things you don't have to announce, and you can't fake it. It's seen in our eyes, in our smiles, and in our laughs. I love to laugh- it's my absolute favorite!

      So, hope and grace...which one to google first? Grace was the word on my heart at 3 a.m., so we'll start there. (We won't be long because I need a nap before 7 a.m.!).

      I snuck out of bed, trying so hard not to disturb Jay, because he has to "work work" tomorrow. Yes, I work but I don't pay the light bill, so that's why his is called "work work", and I try to help him get good rest because I only want to "work", not "work work", you get what I'm saying? (I actually really enjoy working- haha!)

      In my trying not to disturb Jay so he can "work work" tomorrow, I quickly realized I didn't have my supplies for this 3 a.m. Bible study. I couldn't go to my "office", also known as "Brelyn's Bedroom" (my new work home during quarantine since her room has a built in desk). To get to her room I'd have to pass through the dining room where Blue, our ninety pound beautiful silver lab, lives. (Our horse in the dining room!) If you're wondering, we needed him like we needed a hole in the head. But, he's added a joy we've needed and has put a smile on the girls' faces that helps me not question our sanity too much.

    But if I make too much noise, he'll wake up the whole house- and let's not do that! This is my Bible study time (3 a.m. is just for today...not the norm I don't think...) and I need that nap before 7 a.m., remember? So let's not go through the dining room and chance all that.

    So, in rounding up my supplies, I found my Bible, my phone for music- no ear buds around so I'll have to turn the music really low and hold the speaker to my ear- and I can't wake up Blue or Nora, highest priority. Or Jay, because of the "work work".

    So, I'm in the garage (this won't work later in June when it's hot, but for now, I'm in the garage at 3 a.m...Well, closer to 4 a.m. now). Rest assure, God sees this effort us moms make to carve out quiet time, which is why I'm sharing this with you. I hope you see you're not alone in having to get creative to be able to be with God while it's quiet. I also hope it makes you laugh, or at least chuckle. The joy of the Lord is our strength! But, I believe even though we have to get creative, God rewards us double! His sweet presence is everything, my heart's true desire.

      So now in the garage, it's 4:08 a.m. Let's google grace. Praise God for google. I've said google a lot in my new "Not Permanent" role of teacher. "Please google that!" Jenna, my very studious eleven year old, thinks googling is cheating, but I've reassured her otherwise. Google was invented because God knew so many would suddenly have this new home school role (🙂 ), and because He takes the best care of us mamas like this. Google is our friend!

        So it's 4:14 a.m. now. In googling "grace", Hebrews 4:16 come up, but let's define grace first (yes, I saved that tab and opened a new tab; Jay would be proud. He likes to see me being efficient because if you've kept up with this timeline, I started this Sneaky Bible Study at 3 a.m. and it's now 4:17 a.m., and I'm just getting good- I've enjoyed every minute, actually, so I'm okay with it, but we won't tell him!)

        

       My google findings on grace:

• Grace has been defined as a divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptations. (I'll take all of that!)
• The Gospel message is the good news of God's grace, so it is important to know what grace is and to constantly seek to get a better view of what grace does in our lives. Not what we can do, but what grace can do!
• "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." (Hebrews 4:16)

      Thank you, Father, for your grace! I receive Your help today. Not my will, but yours be done. I pray if you read this far, you'll find time to seek Him today and receive his help.❤️