It has been 10 months since my last blog post. So much has transpired since.
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I gave birth to an adorable baby :). We moved cross-continents. It has been six months since we moved back to our hometown.
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On Wednesday, February 12, I received heartbreaking news. Last night, I listened intently to a speech given by the most inspiring person I know.
Her sacrificial and unconditional love for her child touched me deeply. The way she lived out her belief that her children are an undeniable gift from God to her.
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It made me reflect about my role as a mother. I recounted my reaction to my child’s medical diagnosis. And how I responded to the subsequent and ongoing struggles.
Did I truly believe my child, in all her “imperfections” in the eyes of the world, was 100% God’s gift to me?
If so, did I bear the medical challenges with grace?
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I considered myself a circumstantial stay-at-home-mum (SAHM) in Atlanta from 2016 to 2019. I was determined to rejoin the workforce once I returned to my hometown.
My baby’s medical diagnosis changed everything.
My husband and I agreed that I should support my child at home, until such time she is able to thrive in spite of her medical diagnosis.
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The last six months have been challenging physically, financially and psychologically.
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On October 20, my baby’s godmother invited me to attend her faith community’s family group. She led the group reflection:
Is my family a treasure?
Do my actions convey my belief that my family is God’s gift to me?
Listening to yesterday night’s speech caused these questions to reemerge.
The many times I was disheartened by the unforeseen medical challenges.
The times when I lose my cool with my toddler for being dramatic or a contrarian.
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Knowing full well the doubts I have been having of late, God presented this (via Scott Hahn’s Facebook page) as a reassurance being a SAHM is a purposeful way of serving Him.
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I yearn to be life-giving like the Proverbs 31:25-30 woman:
“She is clothed with strength and
dignity, and laughs at the days to come.
She opens her mouth in wisdom;
kindly instruction is on her tongue.She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her:
Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.
Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”