How Do I Work This Thing?

Isaiah 40:11 -- "He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." [NIV]

Hazellyn Joy Babb by David Babb Photography

The squirming, kicking, red-face bundle of bouncing baby boy on the changing table would NOT stop screaming.  A tough delivery, I had only just arrived home from my stint in ICU and was kind of on my own, staring at this screaming little human being in complete bewilderment.  I had tried everything.  I nursed him.  I changed him.  I rocked him.  I sang to him. What in the world was I supposed to do now?

The phone sent out a ring that startled me from my happy misery so I gently picked my first born son up and put him up against my shoulder so I could answer the call.  It was my Dad.  We were all snowed in, my parents in Dickson and I in Nashville - Dad wanted to check on us to see how we were.  I didn't even say hello....in complete, humble and honest desperation I blurted out "where is the instruction manual on this thing?!"

Just faintly past the bellowing, I caught the sound of laughter on the other end of the line...my Dad thought that was funny.

"We don't get instruction manuals", he informed me. "You get to do what the rest of us parent did.....trial and error."

Wow....I was suddenly terrified. That seems like an awfully scary way to raise a child.  What if I mess up?  When is it time to call 911?  How do I make sure he has everything he needs to grow into a man of God?

Attempting to be a good little wife, I lugged this loud little bundle around the apartment with me and tried to get a few things cleaned up.  Switching the laundry from the washer to the dryer....I tucked eternally grumpy baby Brian into his car seat and placed it on top of the dryer to free up my hands......SILENCE!  Blessed silence.  Nothing but clothes bumping around in circles with the humming dryer motor in the back ground.

Well!  I never would have thought of THAT.

God's got it all under control -- even when I don't.  "He gently leads those that have young.". Whew! Am I glad to hear that!  I had no idea, but Brian, born six weeks too early, had some pretty bad stomach troubles, one of which was colic.  The heat and gentle rumble of the dryer comforted him enough for him to finally get some much needed rest. [not to mention for Mom to catch a few zzz's while propped up against the machine, as well].

My first baby is nineteen years old, now.  Nineteen!!  Oh how the years fly by!  He still sleeps to the gentle hum of white noise. ...who knew?

Parenthood is a wonderfully terrifying, frustrating and rewarding thing.  It's nice to know that I am tucked snugly into God's arms, close to His heart while he gently guides me through this journey.

[NOTE:  The photograph used in today's blog is my niece, Hazellyn Joy Babb taken by her Dad, professional photographer David Babb of David Babb Photography in Chicago, IL.]