The Right Path Isn't Always the Easy Path

Have you ever questioned the path you’re on? Questioned whether or not you should have started your business, made the move across the country or took that promotion? Sis, you are not alone! It takes guts to step out of your comfort zone and go after your dreams. But, let’s face it, sometimes it’s so much more difficult than you ever thought it would be. And it’s so easy to see difficulty and resistance as a sign that you aren’t doing what you’re supposed to, that somehow, it’s a sign that you aren’t on the right path. It’s so tempting to quit because if you quit, things will surely get easier. But that’s not always true. Let me share a story with you…a raw, real, and uncomfortable story that helped me learn that difficulty doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.

The summer of 2020, I found out I was pregnant with our daughter. My husband and I were so excited to become parents! We read all the books, took all the classes and prepared ourselves in every way possible. We couldn’t wait for our baby girl to make her arrival.

Fast forward just a few short months later to when our daughter was born. I was exhausted. I was in pain. Like so many other mamas, I was barely able to sleep and was up every 2 hours nursing our daughter to help with her jaundice and making sure she was getting plenty to eat. As I laid in the hospital, I remember being so overwhelmed by everyone’s excitement about our daughter and wanting to meet her and what felt like, in the moment, little acknowledgement for how I felt or what I was going through.

After being released from the hospital, I remember walking through the door to our house, holding our brand new, healthy, beautiful baby girl and having only one thought on my mind. “We just made the biggest mistake of our lives.” I felt like I had such a huge burden on my shoulders to take care of this precious, helpless little girl, and honestly, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. Between the exhaustion, the hormones, and just the responsibilities of everyday life, I wasn’t sure how I could possibly be everything she needed me to be.

And when I think back on this memory, it still breaks my heart to know I had that thought. But, in that moment, it was the truth, no matter how hard it is to admit.

But that’s not where this story ends. Can we please fast forward again so I can stop crying??

This picture was taken a few days later when our daughter was 3 days old. It was the first time I felt like I had truly bonded with her. As she laid wrapped in my arms, I remember feeling like this is it. This is how it should be. She became my world. It was one of those moments I will never forget, and I am so thankful my husband saw it and captured it for us.

Now, that same beautiful girl is one and a half, and I love her more than I can even begin to put into words. I cannot picture my life without my girl. Being her mom is one of the greatest joys of my life. She is my biggest accomplishment.

However, that doesn’t negate how hard it was in the beginning. It doesn’t change how difficult the newborn stage was, or how much resistance I felt. I had no idea what I was doing. I had to learn so many new skills. And sometimes I had to learn to trust my gut and pray I made the right choice. Those first few months of her life were some of the hardest of my life. But, as you can imagine, it has absolutely been worth it. I know God gave me our daughter despite my doubts, despite my fears and despite how I felt during those first few days. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, this is the right path. I'm supposed to be her mother. She's meant to be my daughter. This is probably going to be one of the hardest (and most rewarding) journeys I ever take, but does that mean it isn't worth it or it's not the right path? Of course not. To me, parenthood can be one of the best reminders that the right path isn't always the easy path. In fact, it's usually not.

That, my friend, is why I chose to share this story with you. Let it serve as a reminder that difficulty, being forced to learn new skills, resistance, and even your own emotions are not signs that you’re on the wrong path. Instead, know that it’s in those times, during those difficulties and learning curves that you will grow into the woman God needs you to be for the next season He is calling you into. The valleys are where we learn lessons and become the version of ourselves we need to be for what’s coming next.

I encourage you to lean in and ask yourself what God is trying to teach you. Ask yourself how you are being molded and ask yourself how you can thank God in the process because He is using this challenge to prepare you for what’s to come.

He’s using this difficulty. He’s using this valley. He’s using YOU.

Here’s a picture of my daughter just a few days ago. She fell asleep like this and brought me back to that beautiful moment of bonding and where we are now. Two peas in a pod.