“When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” – Jesus
(John 16:21-22)
Dear Jael Sofia,
The most touching moment for me on December 31st was when the nurse put you on my chest, skin to skin, right when you were born. You went from crying (which was such a beautiful sound) to silently staring at me for minutes. It was like the whole world stopped for us to share that moment. I can’t describe the kind of joy I felt to hold you for the first time.
And I can’t help but think of what our Savior told His disciples in John 16:21-22. His death would be a gruesome, unfair, and seemingly huge defeat. But His resurrection would reveal His victory and eternally secure His followers’ joy. Grief first; unshakable joy later. And the perfect illustration for this? Labor and delivery. I get it now more than I did before.
Our present suffering is not meaningless if our hope is in Christ. Because He lives forever, and in Him we live forever, our joy in Him will not and cannot be taken from us. Ever.I held you on my chest and all labor pain immediately became totally worth it. We will see Christ in glory and our deepest scars will be transformed into the most beautiful trophies. You’re my little reminder of that.
