No One Could Know

Be honest. The idea of having a baby is scary, isn’t it? It’s frightening, because it means, technically, you’ll soon be a parent.

And that means, among other things, a larger-than-life sense of responsibility that wasn’t there before.

Throughout her pregnancy, my friend Ashley Henderson, pictured here, frequently posted glowing photos of herself and of her husband, Jerad, eagerly awaiting their firstborn. Her Facebook page has been a fabulous follow. Archer Noble showed his captivating face on March 12 — and all 9 lbs. 15 oz. of him forever changed the lives of those around him.

That includes Eli, the family dog, who’s now having to take a back seat to the tiny man who takes up his floor space, Mom’s cuddle spot on the couch and every other place in their home — and vehicle.

Babies change everything. And that can be scary.

Fear can be a debilitating thing. I don’t know that I’ve ever been afraid of spiders, because I know I’m bigger than they are and have no trouble killing them with my Ninja skills. But I can’t say the same for snakes.

Some people I know have a deep fear of bears, while some are afraid of clowns. (I still feel badly about the life-sized bear wearing a clown suit I once drew wall-to-wall on a white board in my boss’s office. She’s afraid of both.)

If we can’t see around the looming mountain in our way, shadows can overtake us by coming between us and the light behind it. It’s not so bad if the change is desired, but if it comes as a surprise, that can be a major league game-changer.

Like having a baby.

The first time I got pregnant, I couldn’t see a way around it. As far as my eyes could see, there was only one option. Fear overtook me and I opted to abort my firstborn. If you’re reading this with any hint of fear lurking into your world, know this: Jesus Christ is our great Prince of PEACE and He meant it when He said in His Word that we can cast ALL our care upon Him, because He indeed cares for us.

The phrase “Fear not” is in the Bible 365 times — one for every day of the year. “Fear not, for God is with you,” it says multiple times. And, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with my right hand of my righteousness,” God said in Isaiah 41:10.

It doesn’t matter what size your fear is. God is bigger. It doesn’t matter how loud that fear screams. God’s still small voice is greater and will quiet any storm. It doesn’t matter how dark fear is. The light of God’s written Word pierces it and fear cannot hold back His light.

When you grab hold of His life-giving promises, answers break you free. His Word, the Bible says, is like a hammer that breaks apart rocks. So if you’re between one of those and a hard place, you know what to do: chisel away at that thing with God’s Holy Word and watch Him show Himself strong on your behalf.

If you’re pregnant and it seems you have no place to go, call my friends at the Pregnancy Center of Southwest Iowa, located in Red Oak. Their services are FREE and confidential. Look them up at pcsi.care or give them at call at 712-621-2117.

You don’t have to go it alone, whatever you’re going through. If you need other resources, shoot me an email at kristangray@inbox.com or message me here. Just watch God follow through on His love for you. It’s greater than any fear and will lead you straight into His arms, then you can be like Archer boy here: immune to stress, wrapped up in the love that comes from above him.