Navigating the Newborn Season and Finding a New Rhythm for our Growing Family

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

As I feed the baby for maybe the 12th time today, he falls asleep in my arms, what an adorable bundle of joy. I snuggle him close, breathing in deeply that intoxicating newborn smell. I am thankful. My heart is full and overflowing with gratitude to my God Who has granted me the desires of my heart.

Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4.

Like Hannah I praise and thank the Lord because for this child I prayed. God is faithful.

For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to Him. 1 Samuel 1:27.

I say a prayer in my heart asking God to help me and the entire family to navigate the newborn season with grace, wisdom and joy. I ask Him to help us all find a new rhythm for our growing family.

I am reminded of Moses and how his life made such a dynamic switch in various seasons of his life. From the decadent lifestyle of a Prince in Egypt, being waited on hand and foot, enjoying every choice food and luxury imaginable, and then the animated shift to the life of a shepherd; tending not his own but his father in law’s flock in the wilderness. Sleeping outside in the elements, no fluffy, soft 700 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets or delicious and decadent palace meals in sight.

And then the switch that most resonates with me right now is the one from living a quiet life tending a flock in the wilderness to leading over two million people on a journey of escape from slavery to the promised land. Two million people, all with their varied personal needs and expectations of him.

How did he navigate that new and demanding season?

Numbers 11:11,14,16,17:

He asked the Lord, “Why did you bring this trouble on me? I am your servant. What did I do wrong? What did I do to upset you? Why did you give me responsibility over all these people? I cannot take care of all these people alone. The burden is too heavy for me. The Lord said to Moses, “Bring to me 70 of the elders of Israel. These men are the leaders among the people. Bring them to the Meeting Tent. Let them stand there with you. Then I will come down and speak with you there. The Spirit is on you now. But I will also give some of that Spirit to them. Then they will help you take care of the people. In this way you will not have to be responsible for these people alone.

From what we see in the scriptures, Moses relied heavily on the Lord his God. Often going to Him with needs and even complaints. All of which God resolved because that is the kind of God we serve. He always adequately equips us for the task and also gives us guidance and wisdom when we seek Him for it.

Another lesson I learn from the biblical story of Moses that I can apply to my life and current season is to delegate. Moses was blessed with a wise father-in-law who came to check on his son, saw the strain and enormous burden that was on him and advised him to delegate many of his responsibilities to capable men.

Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. Exodus 18:17-24

That he listened to the wise advice of his father-in-law is a testament to the kind of man Moses was. May we be humble enough to recognize and accept wise counsel from loved ones.

I immediately put that onto practice in my own life and family. I noticed that right before lunch time, when the children have finished their morning homeschool work, when the chores have been completed, when the hubby, who thankfully works from home, is done with the morning rush of meetings, this is the best time for me to catch a quick nap. So I prepare lunch, feed the baby and set aside some extra breastmilk just in case (a big thank you to the friend that gifted me a hands-free breast pump) and off I go for some much needed rest.

Anyone who has ever had the privilege of looking after a new born knows that waking up every 2-3 hours all through the night will take its toll on you. So a 2 hour nap in the middle of the day is so refreshing. I will be doing this every opportunity I get from now on. And like Moses, I am grateful that God has blessed me and surrounded me with capable people that I can delegate some of my responsibilities to so I do not burn out.

The next time a friend, neighbor or family member offers to help with the dishes, cook a meal, walk your dog or buy you groceries, or any other act of service, please accept the help! You are not being a burden but rather a blessing because as they bless and give to you, God will bless and give to them. Or maybe there is someone in your circle that is in need of a helping hand, may this serve as an encouragement to you to offer your prayers yes, but your service as well.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16.