I can still picture the moment the realization sunk in. I was standing in the hallway with one of my daughters, a familiar feeling creeping in.

Not again, I thought. It seemed like this was resolved.

From there, typically anxiety would have built. My mind would have raced, thinking through solutions. Often, I would have pulled out my laptop or notebook to sketch out a plan.

But somehow, that time was different. I was finally able to see the pattern.

Though there were times when it seemed like resolutions had finally unfolded for long-lasting suffering, that was not necessarily the case. Eventually, a scenario would arise to indicate there was still more growth and healing to occur.

I realized that labor does not end once a baby is born. Instead, the process shows up throughout the parenting journey. There are those moments of contractions and those moments of relief.

I don't know when a contraction is going to hit, how intense it will be, or how long it will last, but I do know that it won't last forever.

Parenting contractions, I thought.

I could take what I had learned in my more recent pregnancies to maintain a greater sense of calm during labor and apply it to everyday life as a parent.

Just like labor, that realization doesn't mean I am able to maintain my peace through every circumstance that can arise throughout the day. What it provides is a concrete template I can keep in mind to support endurance--something I can shift towards when I notice I have shifted from peace to letting anxieties spiral.

Over time, I have been drawn to reflect on the beauty of becoming. I can see that both the outcome of the process and the process itself are beautiful, no matter how challenging and fear-provoking it can be along the way, because of God's goodness and presence through it all. Little by little, I am learning to allow space for the process of becoming with patience.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are your typical inclinations when faced with different types of challenging scenarios?

2. What have your different roles taught you that helps you to navigate life with greater peace?

3. How can you share what you have learned in order to encourage others?

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