Life is a series of journeys. There are the ones that cross the paths of two individuals that result in the journey of fertilized egg reaching the uterus. And the pregnancy journey that mother and child embark upon- each step, each day, each mile marker that is laboriously achieved as they grow and change together. It culminates in that pivotal new life journey of birth.
This week my fifth child and I made that defining journey. Each birth has opened my eyes and heart to a fresh dimension of deeper living and this one was no exception. Through 7.5 hours of active labor the aspect of time disappeared for me. At first I was anxiously aware of the comfort and schedules of everyone around me. But as the serenity of the ambient light, the wild orange being diffused, the pictures of our wedding and our children on the walls, seeped into my consciousness I embraced the letting go of time.
Reflecting back upon the freshest birthday in our family I see that an awareness of time gives me a sense of control that I actually don’t have. Presence of mind in the moment brought me through the birth and allowed me to recognize the process of birth more than I ever have before. That is the kind of presence I want to have in every moment granted to me with my loved ones.
Time moves whether my eye is on the clock or not; how I live that time is what impacts the journey. Awaiting the birth of this baby was heavy on my mind for the past ten months and now it is two days in the past. Such a transformative, miraculous event for me and him that will never happen again but because I was THERE it is imprinted in my memory forever. And the living continues; I want to be just as present for the miracles yet to come.
Your journeys are different from mine. The journey that began your life story or your child’s life story might be a painful one; but that doesn’t mean the journeys to follow aren’t worth taking. God uses time to rescue, renew and restore. Choose to let the life journey continue.
weeklythoughtexchange 
Congratulations Shelby and Jared!! Beautiful writing as always. We love you all.ā¤
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Congratulations Shelby, Jared and family! Shelby, you have a beautiful way with words. I loved your post!
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Iām so glad! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend!
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We love you!
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Congratulations, my friend. Children are always a gift from the Lord, aren’t they? 10 months though? š š š
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Yes they are! My little guy delivered at 41 weeks and 1 day. My pregnancies usually last 10 months instead of 9.
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God bless you š š I was asking the Lord to save me at week 36 š š š
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It does get grueling!!!!
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yessss, it does š but we would do it again if we had to. š
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Yep. My 5 are each 14 months apart. š
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Congratulations on the birth of your fifth baby! It is such a wonderful time as you get to know this brand-new little person. I had four children and I enjoyed each one of them. Watching them grow up and now, seeing them start their own families, is such a blessing. The relationships change as children become adults, but it matures into something very beautiful…a lifelong friendship. God bless you on this amazing and incredible journey of motherhood!
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Thank you for these encouraging words! Itās easy to think that these are the best days and itās comforting to know that it only gets richer as the days go by.
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Oh Shelby, congratulations to you, your husband and your whole family! What a wonderful blessing! Your writing was breathtaking. I felt like I was with you in that “time between time” where I am truly present.Your words flowed with poetic beauty and depth. May the Lord bless and keep you and your dear family. I know you are very busy, but I look forward to your post and your next insight! May we relish each moment with all our hearts and sense God’s presence in such a way that the time is captured in our hearts as timeless jewels.
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Thank you, Melissa, for your kind words. It has been a whirlwind over here but Iām inching back into writing again. I hope your new year is going well.
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God bless you and yours in the new year! I’m looking forward to you writing, when you have time! No rush. š
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Thank you so much! Writing is always on mind. š
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