This is the last blog in the Birth in the Bible series!! I am sure there will be more biblical reflections on birth to come in these blogs, but here are my first thoughts on birth, suffering through labor, and submission to that suffering. If you want to read more on those things, check out the two previous blogs!!

If you haven’t read the previous blog on Birth in the Bible, go ahead and check it out! If you just wanna stay here or if you read it last month, here’s a recap. Birth is a clear image of how we enter into the Kingdom of Christ. We are “born again”. And birth is an image of how we can make sense of both our suffering and the hope we have amid that suffering. It’s good stuff, people!!

A few months ago, I got an opportunity to speak at a missions’ conference about birth, the Gospel, and this passion of mine!! I thought that I would break up my seminar into a few different blogs over the next few months so you can get an opportunity to not only read what I spoke on but also get a chance to hear my heart on birth.

I have always gravitated to birth. Ever since I was young, I was interested in learning about breastfeeding, how it works, and how labor moves in the birth setting. I think the reason was that my heart quickly resonated with the spirituality and holiness of birth. And as I went deeper and deeper into the birth world, I found a simple yet profound truth.

I just got back from a run. It was my long run for the week. The run where I have to push a little harder and the run that I usually am not that excited about. As I was running and feeling my body push itself and become weary, I started reflecting on the recent things I’m learning.

I don’t have a deep reflection this month. Although the endless ups and downs both of chemo as well as the Michigan weather have got me going crazy, this month's blog is straight forward. I just wanted to give out one of my golden nugget resources that I usually suggest to each family as they are preparing for birth.

I was unsure whether or not I was going to do a blog this month. As I wade through the chemo and cancer journey I am choosing to have a lot of grace with myself and some of my “to-dos” that can easily pile up. I was unsure of a topic or a birth book to read. But I found myself reading a book recommended to me by a friend at book club and I found a piece of it really enlightening for a commonly neglected topic; postpartum depression.

There is really nothing like being at a birth! I always talk about being on the “birth high” afterward for dayyyys. Such a giddy feeling after experiencing new life coming into the world! Maybe it’s just a sprinkle of adrenaline as well. And then you see a couple invite a new member into their family. It’s an honor and a gift to be there. . .

I sat down with a friend many many months ago to chat to her about this vision. I didn’t have a ton of direction. I didn’t have a name yet for the business. I wasn’t even thinking that it could be a business. . .