During the 40 weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s body does things she never imagined it could do. It begs for us to use the word “miracle” to describe the whole, amazing process. When our skin stretches more than it’s happy to, reddish or purplish marks develop that remind me of childhood poison ivy moments, minus the scratching. Primarily due to heredity, stretch marks may appear on your stomach, chest, or behind, anywhere the body is doing the miraculous work of growing to accommodate carrying and bearing new life.
photo by Maya picture
They appear gradually, so you may not even notice them at first or even until after delivery. Eventually, discolorations usually fade to more gray, whitish, or skin-colored tones, but a well-trained mommy eye usually knows where her marks are. Lotions and oils and creams relieve some of the pregnancy itchiness that some expectant moms may feel, but they really are no match for the need for our skin to stretch to do great things. Becoming a mom requires that we expand in every way.
For the first season of our lives, we mainly think about ourselves. Marriage stretches us to let go of our own desires and blend with another person, but bearing a child takes it to a whole new level. We yield our schedules, our pleasures, and our expectations to the needs of another; we let go of a lot. Not as obvious as changes on thighs or abs, the greatest changes take place in the heart and mind of a woman.
Emotionally, mentally, and physically, our lives bear the “stretch marks” of being miraculously changed as a woman, to become the mother God calls us to be. It’s a gradual process of expanding our hearts to put someone else more, to add the needs of our child before our own, and to bear the weight of their life over ours. Such love stretches a marriage. Such love stretches a mother.
In moments when we feel we cannot stretch more without popping emotionally, mentally, or physically, God reminds us that, “My grace is sufficient for you. For power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).
Expect “stretch marks” in the process of becoming a mother, before and after delivery, but not all stretch marks are hereditary. The stretching of our lives is unique to each mother, and God invites us to generously massage the salve of His healing balm of grace and encouragement into the moments when we strain. The stretching will leave marks, but they will be beautiful evidence of God’s work in the life of someone He calls to become a “Mommy.”
- How is God stretching you/has He stretched you to grow into a mom?
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