Pay It Forward: Kindness & Grace.
March 2024 Newsletter
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
Titus 3:4-5a NIV
Thoughts to Ponder & Life Update!
I am so excited to announce that baby #2 is a… BOY!
Jack Watson Sponaugle arrived on Friday, March 8, 2024! His big sister adores him and we feel so blessed with this little miracle!
His delivery was nothing short of wild, despite my simple birth plan of “have a healthy baby and a healthy mom.” I worked enough as an OBGYN physician assistant to know that the more detailed and rigid the birth plan, the more likely things would go nuts. Despite my very chill birth plan, his delivery was unexpectedly crazy—but also very much part of the Lord’s plan, because He showed up in big ways during labor and delivery.
We got to see firsthand the Lord’s kindness and grace leading up to, during, and after Jack’s birth, along with the kindness of others. So many small (and big) miracles happened during this time.
My blood pressure was elevated at my 38 week appointment, which led to a scheduled induction happening the next day. My OB, knowing we had a three-year-old at home, graciously scheduled my induction for the next day so that my mom had time to fly in last minute and watch Hannah while we were in the hospital (a big shout out to my mom, who literally left my house on a Monday, only to fly back to Florida two days later—talk about kindness!).
My induction was going smoothly, until it wasn’t: after my water broke, the baby flipped to breech, which is extremely rare. Only 0.4% of babies will flip to breech during labor (yes, I looked that stat up!). This meant I’d be having an unplanned c-section. Initially it wasn’t urgent, but when I started progressing faster than expected, I ended up bumping the whole operating room schedule before I progressed any further. Thankfully, my OB was already in the building performing another c-section, so he was still able to deliver me. The staff was incredible and took great care of me and baby Jack. At some point I may share all of the details of my labor and delivery, but for now, just know that the Lord showed up in big and mighty ways—enough to bring us to tears—as He faithfully cared for us while we brought our son into the world.
Despite the chaos of having an unplanned, urgent c-section, the chaos created an opportunity for the Lord’s kindness and grace to shine through. Sometimes to fully experience the blessings the Lord has for you, you need to have the contrast of going through difficulties.
When we found out I’d be having a c-section, we were able to text our families, close friends, and Bible study groups to ask for prayer. The amount of people who responded immediately and who prayed for us is so humbling. Texts of encouragement poured in, and in the days after, so did endless meals. Our squadron and one of my Bible studies put together an incredible meal train, feeding us for well over two weeks as we adjusted to being a family of four. Our amazing babysitter even made us homemade fruit pastries, like the kind you would see on the Great British Baking Show! Packages of boy clothes arrived at the front door from family and friends, along with some gifts for Hannah, too.
Speaking of our babysitter, she and her family surprised us with “welcome baby” signs in our front yard to welcome us home from the hospital. After hearing I had to have a c-section, a friend sent me a seatbelt pillow for me to wear in the car while I heal. My close friends have been checking in regularly to see how I’m healing, mentally and physically. So many friends and members of our church have reached out to see if we need anything.
To say we feel loved and cared for is an understatement. The kindness shown to us during this time has been incredible, and I know we will never be able to thank everyone enough—it’s a small, tangible reminder that just as we can’t pay this kindness back, we also can never pay back what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Today is Easter Sunday, and the sacrifice Jesus paid for me hits more intensely this year. After experiencing the kindness of so many people around me, and to see how the Lord showed His kindness and grace during my delivery, I am more humbly aware that it is through His loving kindness and grace that I am saved.
I can never pay Jesus back for what He did for me on the cross—and He doesn’t want me to.
All I can do is to do my best to pay kindness and grace forward to others. As a follower of Christ, I am called to be like Him. Jesus spent His life demonstrating what it looks like to live a life of kindness and grace. Even though I’ll never be perfect at it, doing my best to show kindness and grace to others is a great way to show God’s love to those around me.
Living a life of kindness and grace is putting others before yourself. It’s sending an encouraging text, or calling a friend to see how they’re doing. It’s making a meal for someone in need. It’s serving at your church or in your community. It’s turning the other cheek and holding your tongue. It’s letting someone out in front of you in a long line of traffic. It’s not being impatient in a long grocery store line or in a drive thru. It’s turning our focus from inward to outward. It’ seeking His Kingdom first in all that we do.
We can never pay Jesus back for what He did on the cross over 2,000 years ago, but we can choose to live a life that resembles His, and do our best to share the good news of His grace and kindness to others.
What I’m Reading
I actually have a lot of time to read right now, mainly in the middle of the night during nursing sessions. I’m flying through books and have been on a big Freida McFadden kick—my sister is also reading her books so it gives us a lot to talk about. As I said last month, psychological thriller/mystery isn’t my usual genre, but her books are riveting and do help me stay up during the nighttime feeds. I also have yet to correctly guess an ending, although I did get one ending partially right for one of her books. She definitely has a talent for writing surprising plot twists.
Here are the Freida McFadden books I’ve ready recently: The Inmate, The Teacher, The Perfect Son, Ward D, The Coworker, and The Ex (my current read).
**I’m looking for other captivating books to read while I’m nursing, so please send any recommendations my way!**
What I’m Writing
I wrote this newsletter. :) I’m giving myself lots of grace during this newborn season. Writing has slowed as my priority right now is taking care of my family. I’m still waiting on responses for some articles I submitted for publication, along with responses to a few query letters.
What I’m (Kind Of) Cooking
My cooking involves heating up whatever delicious meal was provided to us, either via our meal train or from the freezer meals that my mother-in-law made us.
For anyone wondering what a great gift is for a family who just welcomed a baby… Make them a meal. Seriously, make them a meal in a disposable container. The last thing on my mind right now is cooking, and I am forever grateful for everyone who’s provided us meals!
Let’s Connect!
Thanks for reading my newsletter! Feel free to forward this email along to anyone who might enjoy it. My hope is to encourage you in your everyday faith and to share the joys and trials of life and motherhood. We’re all in this together.
—Kristin