In my first few months of motherhood, anxious thoughts simmered. I was even nervous the first time alone with my baby, feeling we needed at least four sets of hands to keep our precious bundle safe!

Every creak sounded like a break in, and during nap time, I constantly zoomed in as close as possible on the monitor to ensure the rise and fall of his breathing.

Certainly, motherhood is a steep learning curve, with hormones and normal concerns. But I hope to share how God’s Word encouraged me and established truths a little tighter in my heart in those newborn days.

Isn’t it amazing how God’s sovereignty envelopes us with sweet confidence?

I find daily courage in these two verses.

His Safety

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” 
Psalm 4:8

Even if I could be a perfect parent, and utilize every earthly precaution, I’m still not in ultimate control. With the psalmist I acknowledge, the Lord ALONE sets us in the safety. It’s a safety we long for (Psalm 12:5).

The Lord gives peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). All the understanding a young mom doesn’t even have time to acquire yet… a river of peace runs much deeper. 

His Book

Secondly, our children are infinitely more valuable in God’s sight than our own. He knew us in the womb, and His care goes to the length of etching each day in His book. 

“Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.”

Psalm 139:16

Some have a life story filling many pages into old age, chapter after chapter. Others’ lives are brief and also beautiful, but still penned in glorious love and purpose. It’s not for me to know the number of my days, nor the number of my little one’s. He knew before we were fully formed in the womb, and each day is a gift of grace to enjoy. What comfort and courage!

Whenever those fingers of fear and worry start reaching for my heart, I remind myself of these bedrock truths. God is sovereign over motherhood.

What do we believe about God?

As my son grows older, I’ll have more opportunities to fear. It won’t be just his health, but I’ll think about his emotions, his personality, his education, his relationships, everything. I’ll need to reaffirm that it isn’t my job to be in control. I must remember that even at my baby’s most vulnerable state in the womb, I could trust God to sustain his heartbeat in accordance to His will. Can we not continue to cast our cares and anxieties on such a wise Father?

At a baby shower last week, a mom much further down the road than me, shared how she desired to communicate her trust in God to her kids even when it was hard to do so. Because sinful fear shows others what we believe about God — that He isn’t to be trusted.

Instead, we can rejoice in the knowledge of His power and complete control. Safety isn’t a place. Safety isn’t a frame of mind. Safety isn’t perfect health. Safety isn’t a high-dollar security system.

Safety is a gift from God alone. He faithfully walks with us each day, until welcoming us to our forever home. Yes, I can place something even as precious to me as my loved ones in the hollow of His hand.

My sister recently reminded me of this old hymn Safe Am I. Sing this over your baby’s nap time, and give thanks He ordained this very day in His book, before we were born.

“Safe Am I, Safe Am I,
In The Hollow Of His Hand.
Sheltered Over, Sheltered Over
With His Love Forever More.

No Ill Can Harm Me, No Foe Alarm Me;
For He Keeps Both Day And Night.
Safe Am I, Safe Am I
In The Hollow Of His Hand.”