New life is always a celebration! When a new baby arrives in your circle of influence welcome that little one with open arms. Don’t respond with disapproval if the circumstances around the birth have not been what you consider ideal. You have an opportunity to begin speaking into the heritage that little child will have. Your influence now can help shape a young mom and give some very needed spiritual tools to equip her as this little one grows.

Thank God for this new life and celebrate!

New life always brings my thoughts back to the story of Hannah in the book of 1 Samuel in the Bible.

The story

Hannah longed for a child and was unable to conceive. In that ancient culture her husband had a second wife. She conceived often and had many children and Hannah’s heart was broken. To top it off the other wife was cruel and heartless in her torment of Hannah and continually taunted her with her childlessness.

In those times it was the custom to travel annually to a place where the people worshipped God. Together they not only celebrated God’s care for them in the past but also His blessing on that years crops.

At this particular celebration recorded in 1 Samuel, Hannah keenly felt her lack of children. During this event her rival was especially cruel in her taunting until Hannah was in tears and unable to eat. Her husband could not comfort her.

Finally, one evening when the feasting and drinking was over Hannah stood up, determined in her own heart to go and seek God. She went to the Lord’s temple, the place where God’s presence dwelt, and she poured out her heart to God.  The Bible tells us in “bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD”. We can just feel the longing in her heart!

As she prayed she submitted her burden to the Lord and vowed to God that if He blessed her with a son she would give him back to God.

What a desperate heart cry and what submission and willingness to honor God with the answer!

God answers with peace

The priest saw Hannah weeping and murmuring and thought she was drunk from the festivities. He tried to shoo her from the meeting tent but she spoke up and defended herself and resolutely told him that she was praying; she was pouring out her soul to the LORD in great anguish and grief.

The priest, Eli, then told her to “Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.”

It is very important to note that the Bible then tells us that Hannah went on her way, ate something and was no longer downcast! Her spirit was lifted!

It seemed she truly did “go in peace” – peace found in the presence of the LORD.

I love this story because it describes the fabric of a woman’s heart. It describes the depth of feelings that she had over the issue that rested heavily on her heart and mind. It describes her anguish. Yet it also describes her wisdom in finally coming to the point of unburdening herself to the God who could help her. She was honest before God about her emotional state. And she left that place of prayer no longer downcast!

As one who supports a new mom and for the young mom herself there will be times when each of you will feel overwhelmed with the issues surrounding you.

How to support a new Mom

Children challenge your life in many ways. It may be swallowing your pride that this birth did not come in the way you had hoped. It may be other challenges that you will support the young mom through. It may be as simple as when to wean the baby, or how to help him adjust to a new teacher, or deal with unkind friends.  Tiredness magnifies things and there will be days when a young mom will feel downcast and in anguish.

Remember this story from Hannah and be aware that when you sense those emotions in you or in a young mom, it is simply a call to prayer. Getting into God’s presence and unburdening yourself will lift the heaviness off your heart and allow you to walk in confident peace – no longer downcast – as Hannah discovered.

Getting into God’s presence and bringing that young Mom before God will open doors of opportunity to speak into her life and the life of her child.

This is one of the most precious truths of God’s word. When you get alone with God and pour out your heart to Him He lifts you above the heaviness and brings peace.

He is big enough for all the questions or overwhelmed feelings we have and He is the one who lifts the burden off our hearts, as we trust Him with it. Time in His presence will put the spring back in your step and allow the Holy Spirit to put wisdom and peace into your heart and mind.

This is a wife and mother’s greatest treasure. Always remember prayer is your greatest resource! Where prayer focuses, God power falls!

His peace will rest upon your heart.

The God of peace will Himself, equip you. You, in turn, can help another.

May the God of peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in you what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.  (Hebrews 13:20 & 21)

Can we pray for you? If you are facing an unexpected circumstance in your life we would love to pray for you.