36 Weeks: Greatly Blessed and Ridiculously Uncomfortable {Babies and Beyond Link-Up #31}

I'm 36 weeks pregnant. I'm big and tired. And that apparently that lends itself to complaining.

I try to keep a smile on my face. I laugh when other people make cute remarks about how big I am or how miserable I must be. I find often find myself wearing a mask of steel. "No, I'm not uncomfortable. No, this isn't hard. And yes, I'm very glad I have 4 weeks left!"

It's the stubborn part of me that insists that everything is peachy. I feel great. Pregnancy is wonderful! In a world surrounded by people who constantly complain about children, child bearing, and pregnancy, it seems like those of us who know better should speak loudly with a voice of gratitude.

I shout, "This is a blessing. I am so very thankful. Being pregnant is a GOOD THING!!!!" while my heart is quietly whispering, "It's just not easy...".

The problem is that anytime I admit that this isn't easy, I feel like somehow I'm jumping ship. I'm abandoning those marching beside me carrying the banner of godly motherhood.

So here is the truth. This is what I've learned now with three pregnancies under my belt {almost}.

Being pregnant is a good thing. The world tells you it's a problem to be avoided or worse terminated, but ask any reasonable parent and they will tell you that their life was instantly made better by their sweet bundle of joy. I often hear mothers talk about how inconvenient and undesirable a baby would be, but I can guarantee if they had one they wouldn't trade him for the whole world.

However, being pregnant is hard. Your body is invaded by another person who makes you want to puke your guts out and eventual grows big enough to kick your bladder at all hours of the night. Lovely.

And sometimes it can seem never ending. The months drag by and pretty soon you can't even remember not being pregnant. When you feel like a beached whale, one week is unmanageable and one month is an eternity.

But being hard doesn't make pregnancy any less good. And not enjoying every minute doesn't make you any less blessed. It makes you normal.

However, you don't get an excuse to complain or whine either. In fact, complaining and whining just make you and everyone around you miserable.

Instead, take time to be grateful. You may not be grateful for the backache or the lost sleep, but you can be grateful that you are having a baby! It may seem like forever, but 9 months is a very small price to pay for the joy of being a mother. Pain and discomfort are part of that process, but they are worth it every. single. time. 

So if you were to ask me how I'm feeling today, I'd have to be honest and say greatly blessed and ridiculously uncomfortable.

Now it's Link-up Time!

And just a reminder, there are lots of ways you can follow along with each of your co-hosts. We LOVE getting to know you!

Sarah @ My Joy-Filled Life, Facebook, Pintrest, Bloglovin'

Katherine @ Proverbs and Pacifiers, Facebook, Pinetrest, Bloglovin'

Jennifer @ The Purposeful Mom, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin'

Whitney @ Beauty in the Mess, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin'

And now it's time to LINK-UP! I can't wait to read what you all have to say this week! And if you want, grab a button and share this link-up with your readers. The more the merrier!

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