Everything is going very well here in my little hospital room. Some friends joked that the name plate outside my room ought to be engraved by now, rather than just penciled-in! We’ve personalized the interior of the room slowly but surely. Jim recently hung on my wall two matching little outfits saying, “My First Ocean City, NJ Shirt,” along with a ziplock bag of sand and shells that our friends lovingly collected in my honor. So even though I wasn’t able to join the family at the shore this year, I smile every time I see these souvenirs and think of future vacations to come. We also have cards pinned on the wall, and decorations from the shower that my co-workers had thrown. The nurses and doctors all remark on how “homey” we’ve made the space, and I reply that I’m just thrilled I’ve been here long enough to call it home!
Visiting friends tonight asked me if I was “comfortable” here – and I replied that my answer depended on whether they were inquiring about my physical or emotional comfort level! Physically, I’m getting more and more uncomfortable, but I attribute the discomfort to the normal aches and pains of an advancing pregnancy. I don’t believe I’ve seen any very pregnant lady look comfortable, whether or not she was on bedrest! Yet emotionally and spiritually, I’m remarkably content. The Lord is so gracious in granting me more patience with these circumstances than I ever thought possible. Now the big question will be whether I will feel similar “comfort” and patience when I am attempting to soothe two squalling infants at 3 a.m.! 🙂 However, I am confident that our God is good…and whether or not I feel His calming presence in trying times, I know that His patience with me is unending, and He will shape me (painfully at times, I’m sure) into the parent He desires me to be. I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns:
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy;
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.
His pow’r has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!
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