What does it mean to give birth to something new?

[admin]

We sit in the season of Advent and wait for the birth of Jesus. We know the old, old story... but what does it mean to give birth to something new? Ponder this in your heart (as Mary did!) and share your thoughts...

[khoien]

I think as a mom, the idea birthing something new can't help but be compared to child birth. Several things come to mind. How it completely consumes you, some times more than others. How it is always part of you, how much thought and prayer go along with it, how at times it's painful and at times the most wonderful thing ever. The extremes.

I haven't honestly thought of the phrase 'birthing something new' related to anything other than children. What does this mean? A business, new habits, etc....

[azastrow]

It is an interesting question. I am not a mom, so the physical birthing doesn't mean anything concrete or experiential (literally) for me. Interestingly, I was in a class and Advent was described as "birthing something new", which I thought was a cool thing, the same phrase used in the same week in two different places. So, hmm, what is being birthed in me, what am I birthing, or am I being birthed?

As I look at my life at the moment, God is definitely messing around in it, creating new opportunities, explaining the reasons for other things, showing that there are options available that hadn't been thought of before. It is a bit of a "hurry-up-and-wait" time for me, but isn't the waiting part of the birthing? It isn't always comfortable to wait, but it is a necessary part. And I try to give myself time to sit and ponder what is happening in my life, which sometimes drives me nuts, but at other times gives me a sense of quiet and ok-ness (not necessarily peace), and the feeling that I am where I need to be now, and it will be ok, all work out, which then gives me (sort of? sometimes?) a sense of peace.

[shill]

I have a friend and business colleague who coined the term "birthquakes." Her basis for this is that as we are birthing something new in our lives, it often takes 9 months of extraordinary change before it can be birthed. It isn't necessarily an easy process (as is pregnancy and childbirth), but the end result is SOOOO worth it! We often question whether we're doing the right thing because it's not a smooth and peaceful ride. I wonder if God is testing us, in a way, to make sure we're ready for it.

Life would be pretty boring if we all lived under the "status quo" model. It's easy to get on auto-pilot and ignore God's "birthquake" signs. We get busy in kids' activities, preparing for holidays, running errands, etc. Maybe we all need a wake-up call to watch for our birthquake -- and get ready for a bumpy ride!!

[azastrow]

Birthquakes - I like that! That is what I seem to have been going through for the last I don't know how long! Hmm, it is nice to have a name to put with the experience! :) Thanks!

[lvaneaton]

For me giving birth to something new has much to do with TRUST! Do I trust God enough to let go of my agenda and walk toward God's agenda. Does God really know enough about me to be in charge? I mean really!! The good news is that God knows even more than me... and I usually take comfort in knowing this, especially when I get to the end of my rope. As we march toward Christmas once again and hear the angel's words to Mary- I am reminded of her yes... and take peace in the question: How can this be?

[laoverman]

I am in the process of a "birthquake"... at 50 I have decided that I am at a point in my life when it is time to take care of myself...give birth or life back to myself. I feel like I have lost who I am. I have the best family and life that you could ask for, but when you take away my titles of wife, mom, daughter, sister...who I am is hard for me to put my finger on. One of the big things that i am doing is taking care of myself physically. I have had aches and pains that I have let go unattended for years, and they have started to rule my life and what I do. I decided that it was time to take my life back, or to give myself life, birth something new in my life, and have been going to a pain clinic and doing some things that sound interesting, but are outside the box for me...like accupuncture, and biofeedback therapy. I feel like you do when you are ready to give birth to your first child...on the edge of something wonderful, but not sure what is really ahead. Not in control, but not out of control either.