Thoughts from a mother
I must say that I am very joyful to be celebrating my first Mother’s Day tomorrow. I have a beautiful baby girl (who is five months old today!) and a wonderful husband who bring me joy every day. I can’t think of a better team to be part of through the ups and downs of life.Â
In some ways I feel like I have gotten a crash course in motherhood these past five months. I know all new mothers are shocked when they bring their newborns home and deal with the midnight feedings, diaper changes, and upset tummies, but I feel like the challenges I have faced as a mother have been of a different sort. Haven has touched my life, or better yet, shaken my world, in a way that has made an eternal difference.Â
I have yet to master all the tricks of the trade like new mothers do, but Haven has demanded that I gain some other skills. I have learned how to pray in the face of life and death, about things deeper than my day-to-day complaints and concerns, allowing God’s Word to remind me of those things which are even more precious than my beautiful little family.Â
I am thankful every day for my two blue-eyed sweeties and try to be the best wife and mother that I can, but being faced with the reality of losing such a precious little child, has helped focus my mind where it really should be. God has offered his gift of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus by grace alone. Haven is teaching her mother that no other earthly thing could be more precious than that. She forces me to live my faith every day and constantly turn to God’s Word to get my thoughts and attitude back on track. Haven is teaching me that death is inevitable, but eternal life is certain for all who put their trust in Jesus Christ.Â
Although I would love for Haven to be a healthy child, I take joy in our tribulations and for the patience, steadfastness and faith that I have attained during these past few months. When I consider God’s grace and the spiritual blessings that are ours through Christ, I cannot ask God for anything more than what He has already given us and the glory that awaits us when this life is over.Â
I never thought that a daughter could have such a strong influence over her mother, but Haven has been an exception to every rule since the day she was born. My desire as a mother is to attend to the needs of my daughter and to protect her and love her for all her days. I imagine that in this way, I am no different than any other mother. I also desire that as you all join us on Haven’s journey, you will allow her to remind you that God’s grace is more precious than any earthly thing. Happy Mother’s Day!
Posted in Recovery #1 | 6 Comments »
May 12th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
God Bless you Alison. Happy Mothers Day to you too. You are a very good Mother and Granddaughter also to me. Love to all of you sweeties. Love, Grandma M
May 12th, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Dear Alison, your words echo in my heart and mind. You stike the chords to my very soul.Having been a mother now for the fifth time, I am, thru our experience with Lillian, truly understanding exactly what you describe above. Our sweet babies, after all, are not ours but His. Given to us for the time he deems. What a blessing and a testimony you Jeremy, and Haven have been to me. Continue to savor your special gift and reap all the blessings of your first Mother’s Day. Praying as always, Michelle
May 12th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Happy Mother’s Day Alison, and God bless you with many more to come.
May 13th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Dear Alison,
For months now, thoughts of your family and Haven’s journey are opened to me each day because I have her page come up every time I log on to my computer. Until this week I have quietly poured my thoughts into prayers for you to have courage, wisdom and determination to see her through each stage. Yesterday your “Thoughts from a Mother†rocked my world. For someone so young to have so much insight to see beyond today’s struggles and give praise to God for His true and unwavering plan, brought tears to my eyes. Alison, you are as precious as your beautiful mother Joy, who without her sacrifice I would not have the knowledge to become the mother I am today. We do not get to choose who our parents are but believe me, little Haven Leigh is so wonderfully blessed that God chose you and Jeremey to be her parents and your mission field this year has been that hospital and all of us who read these letters.
To all of Haven’s readers (family, friends and unknowns) I challenge you type them a short note just to let them know you are here with them that they are not alone.
God’s Richest Blessings to all of you.
Love, Annette Altena – Hudsonville, Michigan
(PS Happy Mother’s Day – Joy)
Alison, Jeremey and Haven “We’re here”
Jeff & Annette Altena
Chris (& Laurice) Scramlin
Brian Scramlin – Love YA!
May 14th, 2007 at 2:51 pm
I was just recently blessed with my first grandson. I’ve seen the daily struggles that my daughter has gone through trying to figure out how to be a mother. Watching my daughter become a mother has kind of completed my journey as a mother. I can only try to imagine your daily struggles. I can see from your writings that your faith is very strong. Being a mother is never an easy job, however, it is rewarding, peaceful, happy, sad, and strengthening. You don’t know me, but I know your parents. So just know, you, your family, and little Haven are in my prayers.
God Bless,
Periann (Austin) Cantrell
May 25th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
You’re in my prayers. Celebrate the gift of life, and there’s no way I can relate to what you’re going through, but I just want to say that God is with you, day and night. He was there was little Haven was born, and in the hospital. He’s with you now.
In my thoughts and prayers,
~*Danielle*~