Follow the Guide book

 

When my husband and I got married, we soon discovered that we were expecting a baby. We felt completely overwhelmed. I wasn't sure how to react. I had no idea what to do, how to respond, or what to expect. This was before the era of iPhones and specialized apps for tracking pregnancy. Thankfully, my cousin Nata, who has always been like the older sister I never had, came to the rescue and gifted me a very thick book titled “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” 

This book was a game-changer for us.

Every few nights, my husband and I would lie in bed and eagerly read about our baby’s development. We tracked our little girl’s size as she grew—from the size of a sweet pea to a walnut and then to an apple. We read the descriptions and studied what was happening in her tiny body. Following the guide eased our anxieties by connecting my symptoms to what was happening at each stage and preparing us for what to expect next. Though we couldn't see her, it felt as if the words were painting a visual picture and bringing her to life in our minds.

I had a very similar experience during a season when I felt overwhelmed by my circumstances, however, this time it was spiritual. I began to seriously devote myself to studying the Bible. It became a turning point in my life. I was surprised to find a reflection of myself in the pages of the Bible. The Bible awakened my spirit, connecting my experiences and the season I was going through to the words I read. Although I couldn’t see it, I was able to track my spiritual development. The more I read and understood its teachings, the more my spirit came alive within me. The scriptures always guided me toward what was coming next. Seeing my journey mapped out in Scripture helped ease all my anxieties and fears.

...it is written about me in the scroll. (Psalm 40:7)