I find it hard listening to new parents who complain about having newborns, especially when they highlight the exhaustion and burnout they experience in rearing their babies during their first few months.
Changing diapers, sleepless nights, extra expenses and a babywear-packed backseat are just some of the many things that parents struggle with, and yes, it's a struggle. Believe me, I know what being a parent is like. My first few months with my daughter were not easy, but in every hardship I learned to see the beauty in having the blessing of being a father to Alexa.
Paul may not have had child-rearing in mind when He wrote in Romans 5:3, "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance," but parenthood seems to fit so well into that picture.
It's not easy being a new parent, but children are a blessing from the Lord in any and every season of their lives. We don't have to wait until they can feed themselves, go to the potty on their own or talk to enjoy our children.
Here are three things that most parents of newborns dread but are actually blessings in disguise.
Hospital bills
It all starts with a bang. The joy of seeing our children for the first time can seem to take all the worries and fears away, until the hospital bill comes. But times of financial challenge can actually be great opportunities to strengthen our faith and trust in God.
The moment I got our hospital bill after my wife gave birth, I barely had enough money to pay the doctor's fees, but God used that as an opportunity to build up my faith to believe that He would provide. Indeed, we were able to pay off all the bills by God's grace.
Sleepless nights
Sleep is wonderful and we need it, but those long nights I spent cradling my daughter in my arms looking out into the night through the window were some of my fondest memories with her. Often it can feel like we run out of time to spend with our children, and we look back on those long hours and wish that we could carry our children in our arms like that once more.
Packs of diapers, bottles, toys, etc
I admit I hate packing heavy. For a majority of my single adult life, I was traveling from one place to another often with just one backpack. The moment I became a dad, the car's backseat didn't seem to be enough space to carry everything.
But those times were when me and my wife learned how to steward and take care of things. Soon enough we were translating custodianship of baby toys to stewardship of money, and then relationships.
Being a new parent can be hard, but we learn so much valuable insight and build so many wonderful memories along the way. It's just a matter of framing it from the right perspective. Beyond anything, God uses these opportunities to actually teach us and train us to be better. That's why parenting is God's grace in action because even when we don't notice it, God makes us better than we ever were if we allow Him to work in our lives as parents.
