(from a letter to a priest who complained of feeling empty and drained) "You have said, "Yes" to Jesus and He has taken you at your word. The word of God became man-poor; your word to God became Jesus-poor. And so this terrible emptiness you experience. God cannot fill what is full--He can only fill emptiness--deep poverty-- and your "yes" is the beginning of being or becoming empty. It is not how much we really have to give-- but how empty we are--so that we can receive Him fully in our lives and let Him live His life in us.."

-- Mother Teresa, quoted in Prayertimes with Mother Teresa, by Eileen Egan and Kathleen Egan, O.S.B. (NY: Image Books, 1989)

The temptation for expectant mothers is to fill the months of waiting for baby's birth with preparations for baby's physical needs. The fullness of your womb should not hinder your spiritual development. Rather, the baby is a challenge. At the same time that your womb is full of new life, you are called to empty yourself spiritually in order to be filled with a new life as a mother. God cannot fill what is full. At the same time that we make room for the baby within our homes, we must make room for Jesus in our hearts. Only then can he fill us with life everlasting.

Bible Verses for Additional Meditation:
Phillippians 3:7-11                    John 20:11-18

Prayer:
Lord of my life, help me to trust the empty places in my life as the ground where you are growing Love. Make room for Yourself in the same way the baby expands in my womb. Embolden me to trust you enough to discard from my life the desires and habits that keep me from You love. Lead me to the mouth of Your empty tomb and show me your resurrected glory. Amen.