“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” — Numbers 6:24‑26

Revisiting the Blessing

Our third baby was born this past September, and I find myself returning often to this part of The Blessing: “the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”

In the weeks after giving birth, I’ve always struggled with postpartum anxieties circling in my mind. My thoughts and hormones magnify worries that manifest as voices saying: “Only a shell of me came home from the hospital. Do the girls notice? Does my husband resent me? How will I ever do enough?”

Sometimes the weight of those insecurities feels suffocating.

A Cry That Teaches Peace

Then there’s a cry. It breaks through my spiraling and calls me to get up and go to my baby.

She always has this expression of deep relief and consolation when she sees my face. And in that moment, my child teaches me what it means for God’s face to shine upon you and give you peace.

She looks at me with a faith as simple as breathing: “Mom will take care of me. As long as she’s here, I don’t need to worry. I will hold onto her with as much strength as my small hands can muster, and I will sleep in peace.”

Why do I grasp for my own ability in times of stress, when my Father in Heaven has fulfilled His promise at every turn in my life?

Looking for God’s Face

Today I practiced looking for God’s face in prayer. As I looked into His eyes, I saw the reflection of my imperfection and brokenness. But where I assumed that broken vessel was empty, God saw the reality: I am still filled with the grace He gave me to carry out my vocation on my wedding day.

It’s not as shiny as it was then, but it’s stronger, wiser.

It’s the unknown force that makes me pause to listen to my 3‑year‑old’s question about what makes frogs jump so well. It’s the spirit that fuels me when I get up in the middle of the night to hold my 2‑year‑old after a nightmare.

Peace in Enough

I can’t do everything. But with God’s grace, I did the things that mattered most today.

And there is peace in accepting that that’s enough. I just need to keep my eyes on Him.

Author: Bethany Vu (Emmaus/Ignis)

YAM Team