A Preface to Pregnancy Posts: I’m Sorry if This Sucks.

Friend, 

Let me start by saying, I have no idea how you feel about pregnancy. I have no idea if you are single and longing for a husband more than a baby. I don’t know if you even want kids right now. I don’t know if you’ve had 5 miscarriages or have never had a positive pregnancy test at all. If you’ve had expensive fertility treatments or a baby you didn’t exactly plan for. Or maybe you’ve lost a child and pregnancy is just a really painful reminder of them.

I do know what it feels like to be discontent and impatient. To think God’s timing is wrong and that YOU know what’s best for your life and family. I know what it’s like to see another pregnancy announcement and feel your stomach drop because you wish you could post that good news yourself. I know what it’s like to not be pregnant when you reaaallly hope you are. I know what it’s like to fake a smile for an expectant friend and then go home and cry. 

I also know what it’s like to cry alongside a friend who has lost a baby, born or unborn. To cheer and encourage a friend going through fertility treatments and to lend a listening ear to someone who has no answers for the negative tests they keep taking. 

Most of all, I know social media and Pinterest and blogs can feel really cruel during those discontent times. I know that Satan uses well meaning posts to nag and bite at us and cause us to compare and wish for control over things that only God controls. 

So, if Satan is using my words in these pregnancy posts to discourage you, I give you permission to unfollow me or mute me or just don’t read my blog at all! I know it’s easy to seek out things that make us more sad – it’s cruel and I give you permission to cut it out of your life. I only say that because I know firsthand that I did that too.

Secondly, maybe you are pregnant and it’s really, really hard and not super enjoyable right now. I know what that’s like too. The first trimester is hands down the hardest and that’s when we keep everything secret until 12 weeks, until it’s “safe”. Maybe you got some unexpected news at a prenatal appointment and this whole 9 months got a lot more stressful for you or maybe in your wildest dreams you didn’t even think you would be pregnant right now and you are.

Wherever you land, I’m praying for you and I pray that my words don’t add to the discontentment. We’re so excited for baby girl to arrive in December and I look forward to sharing more along the way but I’m so sorry if it sucks.