Dear God
My body tires quicker than before I had a child. My pants fit tighter and my eyes have semi-permanent bags. I spend hours in awkward positions on the floor and manipulate my body so that I can play with my child. My shoulders and arms have gained so much strength from carrying my child to and fro - though the strength is lopsided because I hold the child on my dominate side. A full night of sleep is defined in different terms now. Any form of extracurricular movement counts as exercise these days... but you knew all of this.
You KNOW all of this, because you KNOW me. You created me. You knit me together just like you knit my child together. You know my heart better than I do. You gave me this body to live out my days on this earth before you call me home. What a gracious God you are and what a magnificent creator you are!
Help me to not take for granted what my body has been able to do. The way you designed our bodies and how they work is truly the most amazing thing. Sin has penetrated every inch of this world and distorted every beautiful design you have made, because of that I know that not every women gets to experience her child grow inside of her - help me to remember that - help me to mourn with them - help me to rejoice with them and the plan and purpose you have for them - and help me to praise you for what my body has been able to do.
I may not always enjoy the way my body looks. I may not always enjoy the rolls that spill over my jeans, or the acne that has stuck with me since I was young, or the prominent veins on my legs, but help me to remember my contentment does not come from earthly things. My body is an earthly thing. It is just temporary - just as this earth is my temporary home. You are good God. Everything you do (and everything you create) is for our good and Your glory. Help me to care for my body and to love what you have given me. Help me to find ways to accept things that I am unable to change and help me to praise you for all that I have - including this body that bore children. Thank you for knowing me. Thank you for creating me. Thank you for loving me.
-Taylor
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