A Glorious Privilege

In the chapter “The Postpartum Mother” in Building Her House, Nancy Wilson addresses issues of childbirth (e.g. women can understandably become angry or disrespectful to their husbands in labor because of the pain they are in). I sort of want to type the whole chapter here, but here are a few highlights (buy the book!):

“As the Christian woman approaches childbirth, she should endeavor to prepare herself spiritually as well as physically and mentally. She should pray that God would give her a gentle and quiet spirit as she enters into labor. She should seek to glorify God throughout the process, both in the preparation and the actual delivery.”

“Childbirth is something women are equipped by God to do. He has promised to keep His people, and He will certainly not abandon His children at a moment when He is bringing a new covenant child into the world. ‘The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27). The everlasting arms are something a new mother can eternally trust. In this, as in everything, the Christian has tremendous advantage over the unbeliever: the promises are ours! Christ will never leave us or forsake us. He wants to bless us and provide for us in all conditions. Our business is to rest in Him.”

“Birthing is such a glorious privilege and high calling. We must embrace it with wisdom and hardheaded obedience…We should determine before God, by the grace of God, to make our husbands proud of us as we do our hard work of bringing children into the world. We must not forget who we are or in Whom we trust. The eternal God is our refuge at all times, particularly as we fulfill our calling by bearing children.”