Do you have little ones all around you? Are you “with child”? During these times of your life God does not expect you to do all the things you were doing before you became pregnant and gave birth. He understands you are a mother and He gently leads you. You do not have to keep up with the front of the flock. While you are pregnant and have little toddlers, you do not have to feel guilty if you lag behind for awhile. The Good Shepherd waits for you to catch up.
Listen to His words to you in Isaiah 40:11: “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
You are already doing is a full-time job. There is no greater way to serve the Lord and please His heart. You do not have to do extra things to please Him. Give yourself totally to nurturing your little lambs. You cannot do it effectively if other things, even other service for the Lord, competes for your time and attention. Even if you don’t do one extra thing in the day, you are already accomplishing great things.
The Good Shepherd understands that the mother who is “with young” or who has little lambs must not be hurried. She should be restful and peaceful. Isn't it true that we mother so much better when we are rested in our souls and bodies? If other things crowd in to make us tense, it is our children who receive the brunt of our tension.
One pregnant mother says that when she receives calls to be involved in this and that, that she answers, “I’m sorry, I am not able to help at this time. I am full-time gestating.”
Let the Good Shepherd gently lead you.
Love from Nancy Campbell
Painting: “Mother and Child” by Junko Ono Rothwell