Telling the World You’re Pregnant Can Be a Scary Thing To Do…



Thanks so much for all your kind, kind comments on my post last week about the news that we're expecting a baby this coming winter! It is so encouraging to be on the receiving end of all that love. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Truth be told, it hasn't been super easy announcing the news to everyone that I'm pregnant.

That's not because I'm not excited; I certainly am! I have been looking forward to this time in my life for a long time now and it's something my husband and I have been actively praying about for more than a year.

No, it's because there's still a chance something could go wrong.

Even though we've passed the first trimester mark where people say it's "safe" to share the news because your chances of miscarriage are so low (less than 5%, now that we've heard the heartbeat twice), there's still that percentage of people who fall into that 5%. For them? Those statistics don't mean a thing. They still experience pain and hurt and disappointment at 100%, not just 5%.
 
The truth is that by telling people the good news, that means that if some bad news comes along, I'll have to share that, as well. Which is just heartbreaking to me.

Telling people adds vulnerability to the situation and feels, to me, like a leap of faith. A leap of faith because God has already brought us so far and we're announcing to the world that we trust him to carry us the rest of the way—no matter what happens next, whether we fall into that 5% or not.

And I truly believe that community is an essential part of this Christian faith we practice. We are called to open ourselves up to one another, for both the good times and the bad. We cannot live our lives of faith inside a safe bubble where we only show off the perfection of our lives; no, we have to draw others in even to the bad and the unknown and the messy and the ugly.

So even though in my heart, where I want the world to be a place of safety and comfort, I'd prefer to wait until the baby is born and announce, "Surprise! Look what we did over the weekend!," that's not the way God has called me to live.

God has called me to peel open my life and share it with my community (with you) before it's all smoothed over and polished and fine-tuned. I have to invite you into my life in its midst because it's in that place--that messy, anything-could-happen place—that we see miracles happen and God's grace and mercy shine down like the night sky ablaze with shooting stars.

And so I take that risk sharing it all with you and with everyone else who's journeying alongside me in this because I know God can be trusted. No matter what happens next.

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16 comments:

  1. What a beautiful, inspiring, honest post, Carmen. I'm blessed to share our journeys and am thankful for our friendship. Will be praying with you for your little one. My heart is so happy for you and Michael! :)

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    1. Aw, thanks, Katie :) I appreciate all your enthusiasm and joy walking with me through this. You are such a good friend to me :)

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  2. Congratulations, Carmen! I am nearing my 12 week ultrasound myself but haven't been able to keep it to myself! A first baby is just too exciting! Looking forward to your updates and about how God is blessing you in your pregnancy. Much love, Gen

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    1. Congrats on your bun-in-the-oven! It is definitely a very exciting time!!

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  3. Scary but comforting, knowing you will have that many more people praying for a healthy pregnancy. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt post. :)

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    1. You know, your comment made me think about how it really IS so much more comforting knowing that there are so many people praying for me in this. I find those prayers a ton more comforting than statistics. Besides, I find that naming my fears--particularly in public places like this blog--also help to fight them off and help settle my heart deeper into trusting God. Thanks for your comment and prayers!

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  4. I am praying with you for a safe and healthy delivery of God's miracle! :) Thank you for your words and living out your faith - where He puts us. It resonates with me today. And, encourages me. May God continue to bless you and your family!

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  5. Congratulations! There's something that Corrie Ten Boom said that always reminds me how trustworthy He is, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." I'm keeping you three in my prayers over the coming months!

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    1. Oh, I like that quote a lot! Thank you for sharing, as well as for your prayers. They mean a ton!

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  6. I'm not a huge commenter, but I've been reading your blog for a while and appreciate your open, honest posts. I am very excited for you as you enter this new phase of your life and will pray for a healthy baby. A baby is truly a blessing from God!

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying reading this blog of mine, and I appreciate your enthusiasm with me as we make this journey of ours!!

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  7. Congratulations Carmen. I've been reading your blog for quite a while now and it's exciting that you are experiencing favor like never before. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

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  8. I know that this can be a scary time. I remember feeling the same way when we announced that we were expecting our first child. It is scary when you think about all of the things that could go wrong. You are exactly right about putting your trust in the Lord. I remember praying every night that things would be ok for my little one while she was in the womb. Guess what?! Things turned out beautifully. I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in your thoughts and feelings.

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