Two weeks ago I started to develop a mild case of acne, not something I’ve ever struggled with before, so I immediately chalked it up to raging pregnancy hormones and scheduled an appointment with my dermatologist for today. I suppose I wasn’t really very surprised when my skin started to go downhill, but certainly I was concerned and robbed of some joy. I haven’t experienced all the wonderful side effects that you hear about with pregnancy….great hair, skin and nails and just an overall glow about you. Oh no, instead I have rapidly growing hair that is causing split ends like you wouldn’t believe. I’ve held on to my beloved hair dresser Lee, even though he’s four hours away. As my luck would have it he was on vacation and out of town when I was in Birmingham this weekend…..so I’m stuck with long, dull, split end wreaked hair. And the nails. Well, they actually have been much better (stronger, longer and prettier) than pre-pregnancy, but I can’t keep them. Each time I settle in with one of my pregnancy and/or parenting books, I’ve picked and bitten off all of my pretty nails by the time I’m finished! I tend to do that when I get nervous. And the glow…..when you combine my newly developed acne with the fact that I tend to gain weight in my face first, it just doesn’t leave much room for a lovely pregnancy glow.
So, back to my dermatologist appointment today. As I was explaining my skin issues to my dermatologist, she wanted to know if I was having a boy or girl. As soon as I told her that I was having a girl, she said “Oh, I’m not surprised, you know they say that baby girls tend to rob you of your beauty during pregnancy!” Great, I’m developing a little thief inside of me!
And then I got to thinking. This baby girl is teaching me a lesson now, before she ever even gets here. One that the Lord has been trying to teach me my whole life and more so in the bible study I've been doing this semester. Die to self. Let go of my selfish and petty desires in order to pursue the higher callings on my life. To follow and love Jesus with all my heart, mind and soul. Be a Godly and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Have an overall impact on the kingdom for His glory.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
The real thief here is not my baby girl, it’s the Enemy for clouding my mind with selfish desires and ambitions (John 10:10) and stealing my joy. Sure, I want my skin to clear up and I will be so excited to get these split ends cut off, but when looking at the big picture these things are so small. I have the miracle of life growing inside of me. Matt and I have been entrusted with a life and there are far greater things to concern myself over than what my skin looks like.
Thank you precious Hannah Cate for this lesson, the Lord is already using you in great ways. I know that when you get here, you are going to steal our hearts, and I promise I won’t have one complaint!
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5 comments:
That was so sweet, Sally! But I had to laugh, because I'm totally struggling with this acne stuff too. No fun! Just a sidenote, but you look beautiful and have quite the pregnancy "glow" about you.
If it helps... I can't tell you've gained weight AT ALL in your face. Just your little belly!! And just think.. if little Hannah is taking YOUR beauty, imagine how BEAUTIFUL she is going to be. WOW!
That was such a sweet and accurte post...steal your heart she will!!!
I still owe you an email...perhaps the thief of my heart will take a long nap today and I'll write you!
amen girl! they seem to take so much, literally, and miraculously, they make you so full in return.
jbn
great reminder! but i'm with emily, i can't tell anything has changed except for your little belly. also i had the whole problem with my face during my pregnancy. i want to know who these women are spreading false hope of beautiful skin and hair, because i totally missed out!!
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