Well, God is certainly stretching me this week. After having 21 days off in a row (which really stretched Joel :) I am now at home for the next week - in which at least one of my clients will definitely deliver, without constant available childcare. In the next 7 days Joel works 96 hours. Which means I will have to rely on other people to help me out with my kids. Argh. On a happy note, I've found a woman who is willing to watch the kids Monday to Thursday during the workday hours. That just leaves the nights. Joel's dad is usually pretty good at being available for those if I need him so I'll be talking to him this weekend about that. I laugh thinking of how God must be enjoying watching me being stretched to trust in Him and to put the situation in His hands.
Being stretched is a good thing. It's rough while you're in it, but isn't it good to grow? In the 12 births I've attended God has always worked it out that I could be there for my clients. I can't imagine not being able to attend a birth of a client. It's amazing the relationship that is built between me and my clients. I know that missing a birth is always a possibility (after all, my doula missed both of mine). Things tend to 'work themselves out' in these situations though. I remember when I first took my doula training, a couple was interested in hiring me. We never actually met for an appointment, but I had given them some resources to look over. They decided not to hire me, and it was a little sad for me. One of the midwife assistants here told me something I"ll never forget: "God puts you at the births you're supposed to be at, and takes you out of the births you're not supposed to be at". I really believe that. I'm not sure why Jacquie was never able to make it to my births...it doesn't make sense to me. I know that God didn't want my first birth to be with that particular couple though, she had a very rough experience and it would have been a tough one for me to handle at the beginning of my career.
Anyway, I'm being stretched, and I'm trying to see it as a positive thing :) I was a little glad to hear from the midwife last night that she hasn't been sleeping so well either. She's got 5 women due right now. Being the only midwife in the county, it's a big deal if she has to get a backup from over an hour away. I smiled to myself when she told my client, "these things always seem to work out". Thanks to the Big Man upstairs ;)
Mel
1 comment:
I'd take your kids anytime, if only I lived closer, Mel. One thing I like about being home full time is that I'm available to help my friends out with childcare when they need it.
I don't know if I'll ever become a doula, but the first birth I ever went to was very traumatic and at that time in my life I definitely wanted to be a doula. I had serious doubts about it after that birth though. The second I left the delivery room after she was wheeled off for her c-section I just broke down crying and thought "why on earth did I ever think this would be a great job?" I'm glad you didn't end up with the couple who had a rough birth right at the start. It really is for the best.
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