Learning how to be a family

Life as parents is going great! We are still learning as we go, but I guess that is the way it will always be. Micah and I have both seen how Lydia is increasing our prayer life. I find myself up at the wee hours of the morning walking around with not much else to do except pray. Also I have found how I don't know what I am doing as a mother, as a daughter-in-law, as a wife with other responsibilities besides my husband, the list could go on. This has drawn me to cry out to the Lord often. And oh how faithful the Lord is to answer!!! Micah and I are working through what it means to be a family. I am realizing how I make decisions so that I am assured to win the approval of others. This has caused me to grow in frustration and maybe even bitterness towards certain people. But it's not even their fault! Micah is leading us as a family to make decisions based on our values. In this process of learning how it all works we have hurt the feelings of our families (mainly Lydia's grandparents). But, we have seen the grace and mercy of the Lord in these hard times with our families. After hard conversations we can still come together and rejoice. I prayed that we would be able to not be focused on ourselves while with each other, and that we would realize that we share in the saving Grace of Jesus Christ and everything else is nothing in comparison. Honestly I did not believe this could happen. But the Lord made Himself known and gave us a day rejoicing with our parents. In sticking to our values this past month we have seen that a temporary pain is not fatal in these important relationships. The Lord has been our guide and we must not doubt. What a joy to be able to rest in His ways! My daily prayer is what Pastor Donnie said yesterday, that I would not be self conscious or self reliant.

Blair