Is it a Sacrifice?

Someone asked me the other day… “So do you like being pregnant then?”

HA! I laughed before responding.

“UM, NO.”

I have had 3 consistent pregnancies that have been almost identical (with the exception of my third giving me heartburn that would make Satan himself cry) No exaggeration. When I am pregnant, I have terrible morning sickness that stretches through the afternoon and long into the night. And my lovely morning sickness lasts from the day that I conceive, all the way to the day that I deliver. I am simply sick the whole time, and there’s really never been any way around it. I’ve tried everything in the book, but it is what it is.

And then of course there’s the whole, can’t sleep, feeling your skin stretch, baby moving & keeping you up at night, miserable in the heat, uncomfortable no matter what, never-ending heartburn, swollen feet, and having to pee every five minutes –part. Did I leave anything out?

This is all part of having a baby. It comes whether it’s my beautiful baby or my friend’s beautiful baby. So do I like being pregnant? I really don’t. Has that stopped me from having my own children? Nope. And it’s not gonna stop me now.

I might get sick and be miserably uncomfortable when I’m pregnant, but I don’t have high blood pressure, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), placenta previa or gestational diabetes when I’m pregnant. I don’t have anything that threatens my life or the life of a baby when I’m pregnant. And as far as I’m concerned, I should be grateful I can have a baby at all. What is morning sickness compared to not being able to ever have a child of your own? There are women in this world that would give everything to be able to have a baby. So here I am with this wonderful gift that my Father in Heaven has given me. I am able to carry a baby with a slight case of morning sickness. At least it sure seems slight in the big scheme of things. The Lord has asked us to serve others; to sacrifice our comforts, to dedicate our time, talents and gifts to help build up the Kingdom. I believe that giving Hope and her husband a baby of their own is a good way to sacrifice my comforts, time and gifts that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. What is a year? Swollen feet didn’t kill me the last time around (although I‘m not gonna lie, I wasn’t a big fan) I am filled with love for Hope and her family, and I’ve never spent a moment with her in person. Isn’t that the sort of Christ like love we are taught to feel for one another? For our neighbors, and even our enemies? The excitement and joy that I feel regarding this opportunity doesn’t even make it seem like a sacrifice at all. I think of all the women in this world that are able to have children. And nobody has been willing to give Hope a baby. I would never be able to live with myself if I turned away because of inconvenience or morning sickness.

On another note, I have wonderful deliveries! With all 3 of my children, I pushed once or twice, and they slid right into the doctors hands. I couldn’t ask for better birthing experiences. If my body holds true to its established patterns, then I will be delighted to have a good experience delivering Hope’s baby(s) : )