Some thoughts on contentment during pregnancy

For my fellow expectant mama-friends, here are a handful of thoughts and reads for your perusal. The theme is "contentment during pregnancy," though, along those lines, a couple of these links also include some practical helps for making it through the tougher times. I regret to say that my attitude during pregnancy has defaulted much more readily to grumbling and complaining -- or at least pointing out the difficulties and discomforts -- rather than embracing a countenance of joy and thankfulness and praise. The latter is what I wish to choose for the remaining days of carrying this little one, and, Lord willing, for the duration of carrying any children God gives us in the future.

* My recent revelation (which should have been obvious a long time ago) was that when I am tired, I get cranky and do not have the patience I should have with those around me. Therefore, my practical advice of the day is this: When you are tired and you have the opportunity to sleep, take it! I'm learning it is much more beneficial to my family to be as rested as possible (and thus more patient and loving and cheerful, with more energy and endurance) than to use every possible opportunity to "get things done."

* Spurgeon wrote on Philippians 4:11 (...I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am). I appreciate his point that, by saying "I have learned," Paul is saying that at one time he didn't know how. Spurgeon also reminds us that complaining comes naturally to us; no one needs to teach us how to do it (though it is often contagious). But contentment must be cultivated, and we must be trained to think with that orientation.

* Crystal Paine from the "Biblical Womanhood" blog wrote a post on choosing joy during pregnancy which you can read here.

And a couple of posts with some practical helps:
* A great post by Jessica Fisher called "Caring, Keeping, and Gestating: How to Do Life While Pregnant"
* "Managing Pregnancy with a Happy Attitude" by Kendra Fletcher of the "Preschoolers and Peace" blog

* Here is the post I wrote about some of my own attitude struggles during pregnancy, "(Subtle) fleshly tendancies during pregnancy."

* Finally, a quote which is relevant (at least to me):
"Peacemakers...carry about with them an atmosphere in which quarrels die a natural death." R. T. Archibald

* And a reminder of the joy and gift with which we are honored as we carry the children God has created within our womb:

He makes the barren woman abide in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 113:9