Elsie is beautifully asleep in her rock and play, the sun is shining through onto the snow- lighting up our house as though its spring already. I kid you not, I can even hear the chickens next door, (No, we didn’t move out to the country, our neighbors must have decided that our neighborhood in the city could use a little farm-life noise.) and the dryer running for the third time over today.

It feels so good to welcome a new week.

Some Monday’s are harder than others, but today feels more celebratory than hard. Our Elsie is a month old today, and this mama’s heart is happy and sad all at the same time! We have spent the better part of this month inside these walls that we call home, but I have so enjoyed our time here. Having a baby slows you down and speeds you up all at once, a phenomenon I knew about, but couldn’t fully understand until now.

We have had days where we cuddle for hours on end, days where we sleep whenever and wherever, days filled with wide-eyes discovering our world, and days when we have been out and about learning how to get around as a party of three. An entire month of days spent with our growing peanut. I wouldn’t trade any of them! Motherhood has been the most challenging, rewarding, beautiful thing I have been a part of!

In the past 30 days, we have welcomed visitors who have blessed us with meals, gifts, and encouragement. I have received texts and facebook messages from mama friends in the middle of the night, letting me know they are praying for me and awake themselves feeding little ones.  When your people show up when you least expect it, their presence is such a gift. Our community has reached out and stepped in during this new season of parenthood, and I am overwhelmed in the most wonderful way. Witnessing first hand the body of Christ functioning how it was intended to from the beginning of time, humbles me again and again.

The example of those we are surrounded by, empowers me to be present too. I want to continue this beautiful out-pouring. I want to speak life into friends, family, and acquaintances who need it. I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to any and all, in the same way that it has been given to me. I have honestly loved this transition into motherhood.  I feel alive and called to motherhood in a way I’ve never felt called before. But even on those days where I feel and look like I’ve got myself together, there are ten more days in its wake where I’m a hot mess, changing diaper after diaper, spraying stain remover on the fourth outfit of the day and feeding a hungry baby around the clock- and then I need the reminder from a friend or the presence of mind to stop and remember what my heart knows so well.

I’ve been called. I’ve been chosen. He will equip.

You too have been called, chosen and equipped. Whatever it is that you have personally been called to in this season, even if it isn’t what you would have chosen for yourself, He can use it. If we hand our circumstances over to the Lord, He has the power to redeem it all. In our weakness, He is strong. In our brokenness, He is glorified. If you have breath, you have purpose! Let’s use our purpose for good today. Even at a month old, I want to speak life over Elsie. I want her to understand as she grows, that even and especially when life’s circumstances aren’t desirable that the LORD is powerful enough to redeem it. He can give her the joy and perseverance she needs in each of the seasons she walks through, all because of a perfect man who gave up His life to give each of us ours.

Here is to another Monday.

Another day to breathe in His grace, love and faithfulness and then exhale that same goodness onto others.