Always Be Ready For The Unexpected

This morning served as a fine example and reminder that I should always be on guard, in protecting my heart, that is.

Proverbs 4:23
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

I was sitting at my desk at work, and all of a sudden I hear a baby crying (an odd sound to hear in my office building). It turned out that a co-worker of mine brought her newborn for a visit.

"Ya Gotta See Tha Baby!" (Seinfeld reference in case you were wondering. Watch a short video clip of it here.)

It wasn't really that exaggerated, but there is always a certain amount of pressure to oogle over a baby. Selfishly, I wanted to sit at my desk and ignore their presence, but I didn't. I chose to pray instead, for strength to get through that moment. I think something that also helped me get through it was the fact that this co-worker had previously struggled with infertility, so I know she has been in my situation before. I appreciated her not "throwing her baby in my face," but instead was talking with other co-workers down the hall, so the choice was mine to come out and visit or not. Thankfully, the Lord gave me strength to get through seeing and holding the baby.

But it got me thinking how often "the unexpected" crosses my daily path. Maybe I'm just now noticing anything and everything baby-related since I've begun to struggle with infertility, but I also think maybe some of the unexpected is a spiritual battle in a sense.

Other examples that I'm often (if not daily) faced with:

• On our route to work there is a billboard for a local hospital, advertising that they "deliver", and it shows a picture of a baby
• While watching Hulu, there have been several baby-related commercials even though I repetitively click the "No, not relevant to me" button
• I've been asked if I'm pregnant 3 times in the past 8-months...now, I'm not just fishing for a compliment, but do I really look pregnant?? I don't think so! But it has caused me to stop wearing the said shirt I was wearing, just in case...
• Random sightings - like my example from this morning, or while at the store, it never fails that I'll cross paths with someone who's pregnant or who has a baby (or more)
• Social media - Pinterest is the worst in that respect. There's nothing you can do to avoid seeing baby-related things except to Unfollow the person (which can stink if you like some of the other things they often pin). Facebook is a close runner-up on the worst too. Some friends love to post a zillion pictures of their baby, or worse, all their status updates are negative/complaints about how hard it is to be pregnant, or to take care of a newborn. When did Facebook become the virtual complaint department of the world??
  

I've had to learn that it's okay to protect my heart. You shouldn't feel guilty about doing so! It's OK to decline going to a baby shower (or going and visiting "tha baby"). It's OK to hide certain friends on Facebook from your News Feed so that you aren't subjected to their constant complaining about pregnancy or infant "woes" or dozens of pictures of their babies. It's OK to spend less time with friends who you struggle to be around if your heart is at stake. It's OK!

Remember that when you are tempted, God always provides a way out.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

In those moments when you are faced with "the unexpected," take action to protect your heart. And PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! God will get you through it.