Grace and Homemaking in the First Trimester

Even though I didn't have a horrible time in my first trimester, I still spent a lot of it resting and feeling nauseous. I definitely wasn't feeling normal and I had to accept the fact that my body was (is) working overtime in creating a new life! During this time (and still as I continue this journey) I've had to give myself grace in the little things, such as keeping up with the dishes and making sure a meal is made every night. I'm not gonna lie we've eaten out more in the last few months than normal, but I've grown to accept that as part of this journey. I beat myself up over it a few times, but I've come to learn that I need to extend grace to myself. I need to relax and let myself rest even if the laundry gets put off and my husband has to fend for himself for dinner. I want to encourage other mothers in this stage of pregnancy to remember that our work is unseen at this point, but it still is work! We need to remember that God sees and knows and allow ourselves the rest and grace we need in order to grow a healthy baby. It truly is a struggle just to get the important things done some days, but praise God He gives me the strength to do it! I rely a lot on Lamentations 3:22:23 which states:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

His mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

This verse has helped me look for and find God's mercies everyday and I've realized that they truly are new every morning! I always have something to be thankful for and some place that God has been merciful to me in my day! So as I continue this blessed journey and come to a less difficult place (the second trimester! yay! which by the way still has it's own struggles) I hope that what I've learned can encourage others on their wonderful journey into motherhood!