As You Become a Mother

Read Psalm 139:1-18

Have you caught yourself thinking, there's really a baby on the way? It can take a while to sink in. You might be ready to tell everyone, or want to keep it to yourself a little longer.

Psalm 139 reminds us how completely God knows us. That includes the parts of today you haven't found words for.

Start there. Tell Him what you're thankful for and what you're worried about. You don't have to sort it all out before you pray.

Let's pray.

God, thank You for knowing me. Please care for this baby and help me with everything I don't know yet. Show me what to do next. Amen.

Something to think about: What do I want to tell God today?

Something to try: Write it down, even if it's just a sentence.

Read Psalm 62:5-8

You can be thankful for this baby and still wonder how you're going to manage. The money. The work. The children who already need you. Those questions don't disappear because someone says, 'How exciting!'

Psalm 62 tells us to pour out our hearts to God. So tell Him the longer answer.

And when someone you trust asks how you are, you can give them the real answer, too. You don't have to say you're fine if you're not.

Let's pray.

Lord, I'm thankful, and I'm worried too. Please help me with the things on my mind. Give me someone I can talk to honestly. Amen.

Something to think about: What am I worried about saying out loud?

Something to try: Tell someone you trust how you're really doing.

Read Psalm 103:8-14

Sometimes you need to sit down. Or eat something. Or let the errand wait. You don't need to prove you can keep doing everything exactly as before.

Psalm 103 says God is compassionate and remembers how we are made. He knows we're human.

Please take your own needs seriously. Tell the person caring for your pregnancy when something concerns you. Ask for help with the practical things. You deserve to be cared for while you're caring for this baby.

Let's pray.

Father, I'm tired. Help me notice what I need and ask for it. Thank You for being patient with me. Please give me wisdom about my body and this baby. Amen.

Something to think about: What would help me today?

Something to try: Ask for one thing: a meal, a ride, company, or help with an errand.

Read Philippians 4:4-9

If you're reading this before an appointment, take a minute to write down your questions. It's easy to forget them once the conversation starts.

Paul tells us to bring our requests to God with thanksgiving. You can do that right here, even if you're still nervous afterward.

Ask Him to help you listen and understand. Ask for wisdom for the people caring for you. If you'd like company, tell someone. You don't have to sit with every worry by yourself.

Let's pray.

God, please be with us today. Help me remember my questions and understand the answers. Give our care team wisdom, and help us with whatever comes next. Amen.

Something to think about: What do I want to remember to ask?

Something to try: Keep your questions somewhere you can find them during the visit.

Read Colossians 3:12-17

There are so many things you can buy for a baby. I hope, alongside the little clothes and blankets, someone is asking what will help you.

Paul writes about compassion, kindness, patience, and love in the church. Those are things we can practice at home, too.

Talk about meals. Talk about who can help when you're tired. Tell people if you'd rather have food left at the door than a visit. The house doesn't have to be finished for you to start making those plans.

Let's pray.

Jesus, help us get ready with love. Show us what we need and what can wait. Help us be patient with each other and willing to accept help. Amen.

Something to think about: Who could help in those first weeks?

Something to try: Ask about one meal, errand, or other task you could arrange ahead of time.

Read Psalm 13

I'm sorry today looks different from what you hoped. You may be disappointed, scared, or trying to understand news you never wanted to hear.

Psalm 13 starts with questions. You can bring yours to God without having an answer ready.

You don't have to turn this into a lesson today. Ask someone to stay with you, help with a task, or listen. If you've lost your baby, these few words can't hold all of that. Please let someone care for you.

Let's pray.

God, this hurts. I don't know what to say. Please stay near, help me understand what I need to know, and give me people who will stay with me. Amen.

Something to think about: What do I wish someone understood?

Something to try: Tell a trusted person what would help, or ask them to sit with you.

Read Matthew 6:9-13

You don't have to know how to do every part of motherhood before your baby arrives. There will be questions you haven't thought to ask yet.

Jesus teaches us to ask our Father for daily bread. We can ask for what we need today, while trusting Him with what we can't see ahead.

Pray for your baby. Pray for yourself, too. Ask for patience, help, and people who will tell you the truth kindly. You can keep asking as you go.

Let's pray.

Father, please give us what we need today. Care for this baby. Help me learn, ask questions, and follow Jesus as I become a mother. Amen.

Something to think about: What am I praying for this baby?

Something to try: Write a few words you want to keep.

Ask how she is. Let her finish the answer before offering advice.

Offer something specific. Try: 'Can I bring dinner Thursday?'

Let her have her feelings. You don't need to predict how everything will turn out.

Ask before sharing. Her news, pictures, and prayer requests are hers to share.

Keep checking in. Remember her after the announcement, too.