O Thou the Mighty Provider, Healer and Physician of souls and bodies...have mercy on Thy people and save them from all calamities, tribulations, and misfortunes, O Thou the upholder of those who trust in Thee. We ask Thee, O Lord, hearken and have mercy on us.
After a very difficult first labor, delivery, and recovery; I was begging God to help me through the second one. Glory be to God, He made it beautiful. With St. Elizabeth the New Martyr as my own private nurse, God gave me peace and strength, even in scary moments, and he delivered our little Ella from calamity.
from the archives...
I've been watching the lilies bloom and they remind me of preparing for my daughter's birth 2 years ago. She was due on Pascha, and during Holy Week I spent many minutes during services watching the lilies opening on the Epitaphios. I had read that this was good to practice and use during labor, to envision your cervix opening. Well, it worked for me, so I'm sharing some lilies with you, in case anyone is preggers out there--or plans to be.
I used the same visualization with my 3 births, but just with my imagination! The photos are great and the association with Pascha is quite inspiring.
ReplyDeleteWe have one due mamma at our church right now. She's almost a week late already--a very dear friend... so delivery is in the forefront of my mind. Thanks for this lovely reminder of the beauty of birth.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, I love this and how our faith connects with birth.
ReplyDeleteMy youngest was born on the Annunciation in 1996, and I attended several PreSanctifieds before his birth, and that service to this day reminds me of being heavily pregnant.
Many Years to your daughter