in which we are all (begrudgingly) images of God

I do not like the experience of pregnancy. There. I said it.

I like the fact of being pregnant. I love the gift of life, the sheer blessedness of getting to bring a child into this world. I love the answer to prayer brought by pregnancy after infertility and miscarriage, the undeserved grace that this is how our story turned out. I love the overwhelming abundance of a healthy pregnancy, knowing that – for now – everything looks good with the baby growing within me.

But I hate the way I feel and think and act while pregnant.

I hate morning sickness that drags months beyond what every expert tells you is “normal.” I hate taking medicine merely to function beyond the overwhelming nausea. I hate the exhaustion that sends me to bed at 8:30 most nights. I hate the nagging back pain and the chronic discomfort and the unmentionable side effects. I hate how big I get so quickly, how eyebrows raise when I tell my due date because it doesn’t fit anyone’s mental math of how I must be packing my hospital bag already.

I do not glow. Mostly I glower.

And then – because of the infertility and the miscarriage and the awareness of how pregnancy and parenthood have brought unexpected suffering to so many people I love – I feel guilty on top of everything else.

No wonder the baby’s estimated arrival date is circled and highlighted and exclamation-pointed on every calendar I can find.

  . . .

When I started reading Sarah Jobe’s Creating with God: The Holy Confusing Blessedness of Pregnancy, I was wary. Of course I love a good practical theology as much as the next girl with a Master of Divinity degree, but I could not bear a feel-good tribute to pregnancy’s bountiful blessings.

Thank God, the author felt the same:

Pregnancy is at the heart of God’s work in the world. Pregnant women are the image of God among us. But those truths are sometimes hard to see…I still can’t bring myself to say that I love pregnancy. But deep down, I really do. Pregnancy is a place where heaven and earth meet and constipation takes on cosmic significance. What’s not to love?

I decided I could stomach this spiritual spin on What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

Over the past few weeks, Jobe’s book has made me think about pregnancy in a different light.

When I threw up in the kitchen sink on the morning of week 22.

When I admitted to my husband that the maternity coat that was supposed to last the long Minnesota winter was perhaps getting a teensy bit snug.

When my chiropractor whistled and said, “Wow, you’re one tough cookie,” at the last adjustment to relieve my throbbing low back pain.

None of this was what I wanted. But this is simply the reality of pregnancy in my life.

So where is God in all that mess?

Jobe’s book reminded me to look at the flip side of pregnancy’s suffering. To see the grueling work of creation, the giving work of laying down your self for another, the groaning work of birthing new life into the world.

All of it is shot through with God. But not the doe-eyed Precious Moments God plastered across Hallmark cards and nursery decorations.

The God I meet in pregnancy and the work I do in pregnancy are nothing like I expected. But I’m realizing that they might reveal even more about God’s truth than I want to admit.

God’s work in the world is nauseating. Feed the poor? Care for the sick? Visit the imprisoned? Most of what that demands makes my stomach churn.

God’s work in the world is uncomfortable. Love your enemy? Give all you have to the poor? Forgive 70 times 7? I’m already squirming just thinking about it.

God’s work in the world is unpredictable. Set my people free? Come and follow me? Go and make disciples of all nations? None of those detours were in my plans.

God’s work in the world can be peaceful and glowing, joyful and thrilling. But it can also be tumultuous and dark, unsettling and disruptive.

And if the work we’re called to do in the world is God’s work, and if the image we’re called to bring to the world is God’s image, then I don’t get a nine-month reprieve from this deepest calling of the Christian life.

If I’m trying to see the God-image in other people, I have to try to find it in the mirror, too.

. . .

So maybe it’s ok if strangers stare when they see me pregnant.

Maybe it’s fine if I look bigger or feel sicker than everyone thinks I should.

Maybe if we all bear the mystery and likeness of God to each other – and I believe we do – then pregnant moi is a visual reminder that the image of God stretches far beyond our expectations.

Whether we feel beautiful or broken, sick or strong, there is still God behind our eyes and in our bones.

Even tired mama eyes and aching pregnant bones.


This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

Posted in

12 Comments

  1. Candace lee on 22 January 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Prayers for me lord i will except the mood swings weight gain ainxety i accept it all to get your blessing for us to conceive and give birth to a healthy Baby Lord i am not completed i want to b a mother amen

    • Laura on 29 January 2015 at 10:11 pm

      Praying for you, Candace! I share your hopes. Peace to you.

  2. Emily on 2 February 2014 at 10:04 pm

    Thank you. Just thank you. I’m in the bleary-eyed (and bleary-souled?) weeks caring for my 2-month-old and 2-year-old, and your words — as always — have helped me to recognize and celebrate God in my experience. Which means that they’ve helped me to get through another sleep-deprived day. Please keep up the thoughtful and skillful writing. I’m a devoted fan. And I pray you many blessings upon this pregnancy and your entire family.

    • Laura on 4 February 2014 at 9:05 pm

      Emily, thank you so much for your words in turn. I’m so touched to hear that you have resonated with my writing. You’re right in the thick of the hardest time – I will keep you in my prayers!

  3. Faith Love n Desire on 24 January 2014 at 2:45 pm

    It’s so beautiful n real post…I love it!

    Blessings!

    Thanks…neeky albert

    • Laura on 24 January 2014 at 10:10 pm

      Thank you for your kind words, Neeky! I’m so glad this struck a chord with you.

  4. Anita on 21 January 2014 at 11:02 pm

    Beautiful! I did not enjoy pregnancy, either (read: loathe). I kept telling myself…..I don’t have to like it. I didn’t get pregnant to be pregnant, I got pregnant to have a baby! That’s the whole point, right?! Hang in there, Laura! Thanks for your honesty!

    • Laura on 24 January 2014 at 10:10 pm

      Anita, you are so wise. That’s exactly it! We don’t get pregnant to be pregnant; we get pregnant to bring a baby into the world. Yes, it’s about the journey but mostly it’s about the endpoint! Thank you for this much-needed reminder.

  5. Ginny@RandomActsofMomness on 21 January 2014 at 9:47 pm

    I think this is one of your best posts ever (and that is saying a lot, given how great your posts are!). It’s gorgeous and real and thought-provoking. Blessings on all the challenging moments of your pregnancy!

    • Laura on 24 January 2014 at 10:09 pm

      Thank you so much, Ginny. Your words are always so uplifting, and on the days I need it most!

  6. Kate on 21 January 2014 at 1:18 pm

    beautiful. truthful. and hits so close to home with my pregnancies. thanks midge as always.

    • Laura on 24 January 2014 at 10:08 pm

      Thanks, Kate! I know you know this truth, too…much love your way.

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.