Who Comes First?

First, how's the diet and workouts going? Very well, thanks for asking! I have lost 5 pounds already. YAY! :)

But my 5am workout this morning was interrupted by a crying child. I found Mann sitting up in his bed, lights on, with his little head in his hands. "My head huuuuuuurrts!" he cried. Understandably, since he was burning up with fever. I gave him some medicine and put him in bed with his Daddy.

Of all mornings! We had a teacher workday yesterday and I had cleaned and organized my classroom in anticipation for the students' return today. I called our secretary and arranged for a substitute and also had to quickly email a couple other teachers to let them know I wouldn't be available today.

But this occurrence is something that a mother gets used to. I am watching several of my friends with new babies make the transformation into mothers and it is something wonderful to witness.

It's easy when you don't have a child to put your own needs first. Who else besides your spouse, (who for goodness sake, can take care of himself!) do you need to look out for? But when that baby comes, he is completely dependent on YOU and you don't get to put yourself first anymore. And what I have noticed is that after a new mother gets used to putting that child first, it then becomes easier to put others first, like your spouse and family and neighbors.

This isn't something that usually happens the day after a baby is born. I remember crying many days with newborn Daniel at home, feeling so lonely and like I was missing out on everything.

I can't go to the movies, I can't go out to dinner, I can't go ANYWHERE!!!

But I stayed at home with my baby because it was was good for him and good for us. I enjoyed our daily walks and I stayed in touch with people on the computer and phone. And slowly, over time, I found that I loved putting my baby first and to put my own needs first just felt unnatural. And these feelings just increased as Mann and Emma Jo came along.

For example, on New Years Eve morning, Emma Jo was throwing up. I immediately called off our New Years Eve party. I was very disappointed, but I had to put her needs first and she needed me. Throughout the day, she began to feel better (and our guests were very upset with the last minute decision to cancel!) so we ended up having the party after all, but it couldn't begin until I knew Emma Jo was down for the night, safely tucked into bed. And if she had started throwing up again, I would have had no problem asking everyone (politely) to leave!

Unfortunately, this transformation from an inwardly focused person into generous and caring one doesn't always happen. I see many of selfish parents who continue to put their own needs first and this is so saddening for their children.

Dear Lord, Please help me to remember to put others' needs before my own selfish desires. Help me to take care of my family and neighbors first. And God please be with those children whose parents do not put their children's needs before their own. Protect these children and I pray you show their parents the wonderful benefits of putting others before oneself.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. -1 Timothy 5: 8