Birth Pains

In 1Th 5 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

There has been alot of talk and discussion of 'birth pains'. Is our world experiencing those labor pains? Earthquakes, wars, tsunamis, hurricanes, flooding, terrorism, violent mass killings as Virginia Tech, and I could go on and on. Ladies, I bet all of you remember your labors. And to be fair, I'm sure many men do too. But women especially remember.

We look at the events over the last years and can see that similarity. The labor pains begin mild enough. Sometimes many women don't even know that they are in labor. The pains so irregular, infrequent....who knows. But as the labor progresses, ahhhh, they rise in pain, lasting longer, coming closer together.

The picture above was late in my labor. I remember holding on to that side-rail with every one of my kids as if it were my best friend (Maybe no one wanted to hold my hand for fear of broken bones, I don't know) The pain so searing, so cutting it took your breath away(and you were supposed to do your Lamaze breathing--ha-ha). I held on for dear life, breathing and praying to get through it. But I had that security. My friend, who is a L&D nurse, is a Christian and helped deliver all of my kids. Beyond medicine, she also gave me her prayer support. My sister also. I always thought, "How would I have gotten through it without their prayers and support?"

I think about these pains our world and our country have been going through. 9/11. All of the natural disasters. Columbine, VT, the Amish school killings. Are they coming more frequently? It seems like it to me. I know my kids have seen more in the last few years than I have seen my whole life. At their ages, I could not have imagined the events that they have witnessed. I am so thankful that I have Him to turn to. When things are far beyond my ability to process I can crawl in His lap for comfort, to cry, and to feel His arms around me telling me He is right here. I don't know what people do that do not have that relationship with our Heavenly Father. Whether it's denial, alcohol, drugs, work, any number of addictions or distractions they must have to do something. I am thankful that in the midst of some of these dark days I may live my life so that those who don't know Him may see that there is hope. Hope in Jesus. We need to be beacons of hope for those looking for Him. Because if we are indeed in labor, we know that there will be more hard times. But it is not a time to despair....He is coming.