PREPARING FOR THE BIRTH OF A NEW THING

I also shared on Sunday night eight things I have had to do in preparation for the new baby girl that's about to come into our world. There are many similarities between the birth of a new child and God birthing something great in the life of our churches.

Below are some more notes from my sermon:

8 Things we must do in preparation for the birth of a new thing

1. Be involved. Read the pregnancy book together so you can understand what is going on with her body and what stage the baby is in. Go to the doctor’s appointments with her. Make decisions together. Shop for baby stuff together. It will give you a better insight on what is going on in her body and she will appreciate the time you are spending with her. Understanding her will also minimise misunderstandings between you two.

THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to be prepared to be involved at every opportunity. Attend a life group so we can grow together and be on the same page together. Doing life together helps us understand each other and we can move forward together as the church. Being involved means we are others focused, one for another, putting others before our self and demonstrating love in character and love in action.

2. Offer to help. Help with chores around the house. Fatigue often creeps up on the mother to be. Her body is changing to support a baby so it can take a lot of energy out of her. Doing the dishes, cooking, sweeping the floor, doing the laundry, or even picking up the stuff she dropped off the floor (especially in the later months of pregnancy when bending down is difficult) can help her a lot.

THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church, the church must offer to help. We, as the church, must put our hand up both inside and outside the walls of our house. We need to serve with gladness at what God is doing in our church and know that every hand that is put to a good work in the house invokes the richest of blessings from our heavenly father who appreciates each and every good act of kindness and servitude. We also need to put our hand up in our community and be willing to meet the need and bring social justice to our community

3. Massage her often and rub her swollen feet. Her hips, shoulders, and back will ache. Her feet will swell most days. Be sensitive to that and try to help alleviate the pains by massaging her, even if it’s only for a few short minutes.

THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to massage our prayer life, our devotion life, our worship life

4. Love and appreciate her changing body. She may hate her own body now that her belly has grown so big. She’s gained lots of weight and those stretch marks are ugly. But you have to still love her body. Remember, it’s only temporary. Take time to especially appreciate the belly because your baby is growing inside. Spend a few minutes every night talking to the baby or rubbing her belly or kissing it.

THE CHURCH - In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we need to love and appreciate her changing body. The 21st century church looks very different to the church of hundreds and even thousands of years ago. Her mission and purpose is the same but to move on into all that God has for us we need to embrace new things. New kinds of people that come into the house. New kinds of music. New ways and styles of preaching. The message is always the same but the delivery needs to be ever changing.

5. Refresh her by offering to help rub lotion on her. Especially her back, legs, and feet (and give a quick massage while you’re at it). Her skin may be very dry. She will appreciate it very much!

THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must be refreshed, not by the rubbing of lotion but by the rain from the Holy Spirit. Believe for the rain, ask for the rain. When times seem dry or you don’t seem to be experiencing the presence of God in your life, ask for the rain (the Holy Spirit) to saturate your life. We must also pray for favour even when favour is falling. God always has more, much more, for His church. More than we could ever dream or imagine.

6. It’s best that she eats a healthy diet. Help her by eating healthy yourself. This can help steer her cravings away from junk food. In addition, do lots of light exercises together. Take after dinner strolls together. Getting her heart pumping blood throughout her body is good for her and the baby (and yourself as well!).

THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must have a consistent healthy diet. What are we feeding our minds, our spirits, and our souls? What movies are we watching lately, what music are we listening to? What words are we speaking over our lives?

7. Have the route to the hospital planned out or memorized. Her water might suddenly break or her contractions are only 3 minutes apart. Either way, you will be the one driving her to the hospital. Your brain cells may not be working correctly because you’re too nervous or panicky or worried about your screaming wife.

THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must have a plan. In times of challenge or stretching it’s easy to divert from the plan God has for us but if we have a plan and it’s clear, we have a point of reference.

8. No matter what, do not leave her while she is in labour and/or the delivery room. Your grand kids will even hear the story of how you left her.

THE CHURCH – In preparation for God to birth something great in the life of our church we must
not leave when the new thing is birthed.