Bonding
Before I had children, I heard other mothers talk about bonding with their babies. I didn’t exactly understand what they meant until I had children of my own. I bonded with all three of my babies in a different way and with a different timetable – sometimes it was gradual, sometimes it was instantaneous. But with each of them, there was a moment when I knew my heart was knit with theirs and theirs with mine. They are my children. I belong to them and they belong to me. Nothing would ever change that fact. Nothing.
I have yet to experience anything in this world quite like the bond between a mother and her baby. For instance, a few nights ago, Isaac was crying out in his sleep. I went in to check on him and he was tossing and turning and crying every few seconds without waking up. He was probably having bad dreams or maybe some discomfort from teething. I watched him for a minute to be sure he was still asleep and then I very gently laid my hand on his back. As soon as he felt my touch, his entire body instantly relaxed. I rubbed his back for a few minutes and he never moved or made another sound the rest of the night. Isaac never woke up. Even in an unconscious state, Isaac was immediately comforted by the touch of his mama.
As women, we are naturals at nurturing. It is part of our God-ordained calling to take care of those we love. We do it in different ways, but nurturing is part of our makeup. I wonder though, as we excel in nurturing and care-taking, do we practice being nurtured?
Part of the rhetoric of the culture and age in which we live is:
“Take care of yourself.”
“Make time for yourself.”
“Do what you enjoy doing.”
“Have some me time.”
Although I understand the sentiment behind some of these statements, they are in opposition to the truth that we cannot take care of ourselves. The need of a child to be parented doesn’t end with adulthood. We are still children needing the guidance, wisdom, leading and nurturing of our Heavenly Father.
That night, as I watched Isaac respond so completely to my touch, I wondered how many times do I toss and turn and cry out, and let’s face it, often whine, instead of turning to the tender touch of my Lord. I took great pleasure in being able to comfort my baby, so I know my perfect Father takes great pleasure in comforting me.
In the night when it is dark, and your mind is disturbed, turn to the Lord. He is waiting to say, “Shhh my child. I am here, even in the darkness. And I love you.” And the proof of that is in the touch of His hand – scarred by the nail that pierced through it.
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with singing. – Zephaniah 3:17
