Stork Sighting

A stork landed in my neighborhood today. He was slightly flat, made out of wood, and wearing blue. My mind rewound to four years ago when I had a relative of that stork (wearing pink) in my very own yard.

When we brought our sweet baby home I felt terrified. Where were the professionals? I certainly wasn't one of them. Who would wrap my baby like a sardine to help her sleep better?

In the days ahead I felt every range of emotion. At times I loved holding her and smelling her newness. Other times I felt like the life I had before was stifled. Some days I felt designed to be a mom, and other days I felt immobilized by my lack of knowledge.

Many new moms begin to pull away and isolate themselves. This is the stage of life when we need each other the most. Times to connect and commiserate are vital.

So many mornings the Lord's new mercies were all that got me out of bed. I pleaded with Him to "Give me joy in this loving act, and my weary heart will praise the Lord." Philemon 1:20

Do we not have a great gift to pass on to these precious new moms? A gift that is even more fulfilling than the stork's delivery? What might happen if we decide to extend support and compassion to these women? The Lord in us makes the possibilities endless.

Perhaps our pursuit of them during this vulnerable time would give them a curiosity of where our strength comes from. The effect we have could leave a lingering taste for more.

If you see a stork in your neighborhood leave a card, take cookies and introduce yourself to the exhausted mom inside. Extend encouragement, and get to know her story. There may come a time when you can introduce her to the one who made her, and who is madly in love with her.