A friend I’ve known for 13 years hosted the most life-giving Christ-centered “mothers blessing” or “blessingway” shower for another pregnant mama and me. Instead of focusing on gifts, we were blessed with words of encouragement and prayers spoken over us as we both prepare to give birth in our host country– far from our current homes, extended family, & other support. I left feeling full of support and love, strengthened through prayer and ready to embrace this next transition with the backing of other mamas sending me out.
We ate homemade brown sugar cinnamon pop-tarts while nearly all of us cried. There is something about figuring out motherhood in a foreign culture that is a sacred bond of fast friendship. Many of us arrived years ago without kids or even began overseas life as a single (me).
As I looked around the room, I realized I had seen all four friends through at least one pregnancy on the field. They left for a few weeks or months to go to another city or back to the States and came back with a little one in tow. We had all been through it—the comments about not eating honey during pregnancy, aunties touching our bellies predicting if it was a boy or a girl, suggestions our babies needed more clothing (even in the heat of summer), and the excitement and deep care of national friends when we returned. Now it was my turn again, except instead of traveling to the States I would be traveling to a big city in the country and living in an Airbnb.
My dear friend, the hostess, read Numbers 6:24-26 over us as she began the shower. She set the intention for the morning to bless, pray over, and encourage my friend and I as we prepared for giving birth.
My other pregnant mama friend and I shared our hearts, excitement, and worries about the coming months. We both mentioned our other child (or children) and how we longed for their needs to be met and for this transition to be smooth for them as well.
Everyone went around the room speaking words of life and reading Scripture over us. At the end, we gathered together and they laid hands on us, praying over each aspect of the next several months.
🕯️ I lost it at the part where she passed out candles and said we will each light our candle once my friend or I go into labor. She also passed out stones with a word beautifully written on each—strength, rest, peace… Each person is to cover us with prayer regarding the specific words they received.
Lord, may we embrace the unknown of this expat mama journey, knowing that you are the one who’s in control. Through all the trials, travel, and transition, may we rest in your presence where strength is renewed. Bless these little ones who you are knitting together in your image.
On the menu:
chocolate chip muffins
brown sugar cinnamon pop-tarts
make your own parfaits with yogurt, homemade granola, Himalayan honey, fresh strawberries and grapes.
tea
coffee (hot or cold)
Creative Additions:
homemade flower crowns for the pregnant mamas that were being honored
hand-lettered verse on brown paper
fresh flowers
a book for each baby, used as a guest book. (My Breakfast with Jesus by Tina Cho and Baby Wren and the Great Gift by Sally Lloyd -Jones)