God's Encouragement When I'm Tempted to Be Anxious

The first Sunday after I found out about our surprise baby I missed the sermon at our church. I was working nursery or dealing with a fussy child or something. However, we had planned to go to my folk's church for a Christmas potluck get-together afterward. We drove out to the little mission church on the Rez and it turns out they were just starting their prayer time so we joined them for the rest of their service, including the sermon. I felt like the pastor was preaching directly at ME as he talked about Mary and the angel's command, "Do not be afraid.....(Luke 2:29) He was talking about the difficulties of pregnancy and the times Mary lived in and reminding us that no matter what unexpected challenge we face in our lives today, that God is with us and will equip us for it. It was unbelievable how God encouraged me through his words!
Then, a week later we attended my in-law's church with them around the holidays when we were in MN. Guess what their pastor preached on? Mary, and the concept of fear! He outlined the many reasons she had to fear (possible stoning, divorce, loss of the man she loved, loss of her dreams for a good life, loss of reputation, giving birth in a stable, etc.) and talked about how she was willing to be God's servant in spite of it all. Once again I felt like God was re-inforcing to me in a profound way that He was going to be with us through another pregnancy no matter how tough it might be or how exhausting. What a blessing that we have such a God who controls the universe and yet still has time to bless miniscule me with the gift of bringing another child into the world and that He loves His children enough to speak to them and encourage them perfectly no matter what situation they are going through! I have no reason to fear the horrible sickness I get for many weeks, the exhaustion of being pregnant with two toddlers, the pain of childbirth, the possibility of another hemorrage after the birth, the fact that we need to move to a bigger place and get a minivan now, the fact that my husband wants a new job soon, miscarriage, the fear of what people will think (3 kids in 5 years of marriage!), how I'm going to chase 3 little ones with only 2 hands, the cost of another baby, etc. because my Loving Heavenly Father already has it covered. He blesses us with the strength to get through the tasks He has called us to. I have prayed before each of my 3 pregnancies that God would give us a baby in His perfect timing and according to His will, and though we may not have felt "ready" this time around, God has presented us with a new opportunity to exercise our faith in the coming year!

Happy New Year to all of you Blog Readers out there!