Wednesday, August 3, 2011

You Need Only To Be Still by Katie of Beautiful


Today I am continuing with guest posts from bloggers who have not only a passion for photography, but a love for Jesus.  I am honored to have Katie of Beautiful Within Life.  After reading her post be sure to click over and visit her.

you need only to be still...
 By: Katie from A Beautiful Within Life


Hey everyone, I’m Katie. I  live with my husband and our spoiled beagle puppy, Josie, in North Carolina. I’m so blessed to be guest posting for Amber today and to get a chance to share a little bit more of my story and faith with you.

As you can see, there is a baby bump in that picture! I am pregnant.
Yep, that’s right. Sometimes I just have to say it out loud to realize it is actually real. Sometime around December 10th, I will give birth to a tiny little baby boy with ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes. I will become (along with my husband, John), the sole provider for this little one’s every need. And let me tell you, that’s a little scary at times. I go through phases that I’m sure most moms can relate to. Most of the time, I am so excited about meeting this tiny bundle of Christmas joy. I can’t wait to find that perfect stroller, safest car seat,  and start to decorate that empty room upstairs so it is prepared for my baby. I look forward to snowy winter days that we can cuddle at home, and warm summer days that we can spend outside or go to the beach. I can’t wait to hear the sweet noises my baby makes, or watch him sleep so peacefully in my arms.


And then other times, I panic. I freak out.
I begin questioning my ability to parent this baby and raise him in a home rooted in Christ. Will they know the love of their Savior? Will I be a gracious mother who parents out of love? Can I handle that hard days with tantrums and arguments? Will my son learn the truth of the Lord, that he is fearfully and wonderfully made in the eyes of Christ? These are the things I think about….sometimes. It seems, thank goodness, that as soon as those crazy thoughts enter my head, they leave. And not because I have some magical powers and can make them do that, which wouldn’t that be awesome), but because I have the Lord on my side.

I often sit outside on my front porch, and in the heat of the summer evenings you can see the storms rolling in the distance. It’s while sitting on this front porch, that I spent my most time thinking about the birth of my sweet baby. Last week I watched as a storm brewed in the distance. I kept waiting for it to get to me, waiting for the minute I’d have to go back inside because of the bad weather. I watched as the lightening struck and thunder roared and rain came….but it didn’t ever get to me. I watched it roll on by, completely bypassing my home.
How many storms are in my distance that the Lord sends away from me? How many times in my life has he sent the winds the opposite direction and kept me safe, even when I am not aware? So why would I ever question that He would not do the same for me, John, and our child.

The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.
-Exodus 14:14

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
-Isaiah 43:2

The Lord will guide you continually…-Isaiah 53:11

I love this photo, as it serves as a constant reminder of the beauty around me, the storm clouds in the distance, the stillness of the water, and the safety of my Father’s Love.
Countless times the Lord tells me that He is in perfect control of my present and future concerns. He’s in every doctors appointment, in the the delivery room, in those first nights at home with our son. He’s there during the terrible twos, the birthdays, the graduations, the first dates, proms and college. He is there with me and my family every single step of the way, battling the storms for us, and rejoicing with us in the great moments.  How sweet is that truth.

**You can read Press On by Casey from One Day At A TimePutting Together The Pieces by Ashley Sisk from Ramblings and Photos post HERE, and Touched By His Grace by Jill from Jill Samter Photography.

8 comments:

Tara said...

great picture and love your thoughts with that last picture!

Katie said...

Those worries are absolutely what I experienced with my first child. Trusting in the Lord is always a calming thing!

Congrats and this was a wonderful post with beautiful photos!

Ashley Sisk said...

What a beautiful post...and another Carolina girl! Congratulations on your Christmas bundle and thanks so much for sharing with us.

Unknown said...

This post is beautiful, and I can remember feeling the exact same way! There is no way to really prepare for parenting, but you will be amazed at the new ways God works in your heart and your life when you become a mother :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful words and a beautiful family - Congrats on your bump...we are truly blessed as parents and as long as we keeping seeking He will help us every step of the way!

Courtney said...

Beautiful post! I think feeling that way is completely natural when you are pregnant for the first time. I certainly felt that way with both of mine, who also happen to be December babies. ;) So nice to meet you, Katie and congrats to you!

Katie Perdue said...

Amber! Such a blessing to be on your blog today- thanks again for letting me guest post!

Casey Martinez said...

I love the verse she quotes from Isaiah. Such a great verse! No matter what we are going through God's got our lives under control and he calms the storms when they come. Beautiful post! Congrats on the baby coming in Dec!! So exciting!