I’m a walking zombie. I remember thinking and voicing these words after months of awakening with a crying, hungry baby up to seven times a night. I also recall feeling rather alone and wondering if anybody was listening. I never dreamed I’d be so tired.

Even in my exhaustion, I knew God was with me. I believed my zombie days wouldn’t last forever—and they didn’t. So when I read Krista’s email about her new-mommy days, I identified.

I’m Still Here!

“’When my son was a baby, he went through a phase like most babies do, where he would become distraught if he couldn’t see me,’ wrote Krista. “I’d walk into another room, and he’d cry. If I walked behind his bouncy seat where he couldn’t see me, he’d wail.

“One day while busy trying to finish some chores, it happened again. I moved out of view and he cried. When he couldn’t find me, he screamed louder. I felt sad for him. ‘Honey, it’s okay,’ I said, ‘I’m still here. Just because you can’t see me, doesn’t mean I left you.’

“I gasped. Oh, my, that’s what God is saying to me. Suddenly I felt the love and nurture of my Heavenly Father. He assured me that even when I didn’t see evidence of His presence, He was there.”

Jesus and His Mom

While reading this story from my newest book, Nourishment for New Moms, it occurred to me that perhaps Jesus’ mother Mary got tired and overwhelmed while caring for her new infant. After all, she was probably only a teenager when the angel told her that God had chosen her to deliver His Son. At first her fiance didn’t believe her. Others probably ridiculed her. She didn’t have a warm bed on the night Jesus arrived. Being married was new. Being a mother was new.

Yet, Mary believed her Heavenly Father. She didn’t try to do it all and make a big splash as the chosen mother of Immanuel (a name meaning God with us!) She could have, because God did give her this once-in-an-eternity role. But the Bible says she quietly held all these incredibly mysterious happenings inside her, cherishing and trusting. What are you believing and cherishing this Christmas season?

It’s Easter week and I’m thinking about Christmas! But it’s not what you suspect. I’m not in my perfectionistic-mode of planning, shopping and preparing my holidays that far in advance.

I’m thinking about Christmas, because Easter is the reason for Christmas. Which leads me to reflect on JESUS.

During His 33 years on earth, Jesus surrounded Himself with perfectly imperfect people who decided to admit their needs, take risks, make mistakes and grow. These are the kind of people who formed His staff and ministry team.

Actually, He didn’t spend much time with those who feigned perfection, appeared on-top-of-it-all, made unreasonable religious rules, blamed others for their dilemmas and remained preoccupied with appearances.

Instead Jesus preferred working, playing and living with people just like you and me. He enjoyed imperfect partnerships back then, just as He does today. What a relief-producing Easter thought!

How will this truth make a difference in your Easter holiday this season?

Easter Gift-Giving Tip: Include a copy of the book The Relief of Imperfection in your Easter baskets.

We celebrated Jesus’ birthday with our family on Wednesday, Dec. 17. We had a wonderful–and loud–time with our daughter Lynnette, son-in-law Adam, son Rich, and daughter-in-law Anne and the seven grandchildren (from oldest to youngest): Annika, Max, Kirsten, Luke, Lesia, Sam, and Calissa. Here’s a pix of Papa and Grandma Joan with everyone!