Pregnancy Cravings

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, I am posting a devotional from my book about my son, Parker's Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism.

KEY VERSE:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

ESSAY:

            Why is it that my wife is pregnant, but I am the one gaining all of the weight? I hate that.

            It has got me thinking, though, about all of my wife’s pregnancy cravings. She hasn’t really ventured into anything too weird, like pickles dipped in peanut butter, or stuff along those lines. And I am grateful for that. I was never looking forward to the midnight runs to the grocery store for sardines and caramel sauce. Her cravings have been mostly standard, yet surprising, food items.

            At first it was orange soda. We almost bought stock in the beverage company she was guzzling the soda pop so fast. Then we realized that particular brand of orange soda had caffeine, and many healthcare professionals discourage caffeine intake during pregnancy, so that craving was nipped in the bud.

            Then it delved into milkshakes. The thick and creamy ones from a popular fast food joint were a favorite. Until she learned I could make them at home just as good. She traded back and forth between chocolate, chocolate peanut butter and strawberry banana flavored milkshakes. All three flavors got a thumbs up in my book. In fact, I think I’ll go make me a milkshake as soon as I am finished writing this essay. (I just answered my initial question. This is why I am the one gaining all of the pregnancy weight. J )

            Lately it has been peanut butter and jelly sandwiches she is craving. Maybe that is why kids love them so much when they are growing up. Because all their moms ate PB & J while they were in utero. I guess we just revert back to the familiar. I ate sooooooo many peanut butter and jelly “samiches” as a kid. A certain quantity of peanut butter flows through my veins, I am positive of it.

            With only six weeks to go, who knows what food it will be next. But I am guessing it will be delicious. And maybe she’ll let me have a bite!

            The blessing in this cravings distraction is it allows my wife and me to focus on something else rather than worry about the difficulties with her pregnancy and the health of our unborn son. That is in God’s hands and in Philippians 4:6-7 He has commanded us not to worry or be anxious. If we avoid worrying, He will grant us peace, even in the midst of the uncertainty.

ABOUT AUTISM:

We are still in the dark, so to speak, about autism at this juncture. That diagnosis does not come until much later. Still, there are so many other health risks to be concerned about at this point. So I am grateful to God that he did not burden us with the fear of autism as well. We were already on edge.

APPLICATION:

My wife craved certain foods during her pregnancy. But during all times of our lives, we should crave after God’s word. If we do, we’ll learn not to worry and earn the promise of God’s peace. What worry keeps you up at night? What in your life write now is making you anxious? Turn it over to the Prince of Peace. Write a prayer in your journal confessing your worry and counter it with praises and thanksgiving to the God who is always in control.