My Seven Battle Wounds: Significance of the Number Seven...

On Monday evening I introduced the world to the scar from my cesarean, which I now refer to as my Badge of Honor. If you missed the story, here is a little background for you:

I continued to stare into the mirror, and it just hit me like a ton of bricks..."Why in the world am I ashamed of having this scar?" I pictured Mr. President #1 in my head, then I pictured Mr. President #2, and suddenly I said to myself, "You know what? I am no longer going to refer to this mark as a scar. This beautiful thing right here is going to become my BADGE OF HONOR!" Why did I decide to do this? Well, that's simple...even though it only took me two years!!
A badge of honor is a medal or token awarded to someone as a symbol of value and distinction. My scar may not be in the form of a medal or a token, but this is precisely the reason I decided to call it my Badge of Honor. Right then and there, staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, was the moment I had been waiting for for a long time; The moment I was going to decide to accept myself for who I am and be proud of it.
As a mother of two incredible little boys, I am absolutely HONORED to be granted the opportunity to love and care for them, and to be entrusted with the most important job on this earth: being their mother. This Badge of Honor is more than just a scar, it's happiness, new life, incredible joy, and an insurmountable responsibility. But at that moment, standing in front of the mirror, I made a commitment to cherish this mark and responsibility for the rest of my life.

As you have just learned, this Badge of Honor is much more than a scar; Joy, happiness, new life, trust, and responsibility are all part of its meaning for me. So let's talk about the number seven...
My Badge is Honor is surrounded by seven stretch marks, or what I like to call my Battle Wounds [more on that in the previous story]. I also counted seven seconds from the moment Mr. President #2 was delivered until I heard his very first cry. This is such a powerful realization for me because of the biblical significance of the number seven. Here are seven reasons the number seven is such a significant number:

1. Seven relates to creation:

God created and completed the heavens and the earth in seven days. Although God rested on the seventh day, creation week is made up of seven days. Mr. President #2 is my own creation: a new life.

2. Seven symbolizes completion:

Because the heavens and the earth were completed on the sixth day and God rested on the seventh day of creation week, we know that seven represents completion. Mr. President #2's birth was a completion of my pregnancy journey. He was delivered and a NEW journey began.

3. There are seven virtues:

Most of us were taught or introduced to the seven virtues as a child: chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, kindness, patience, and humility. These are all very important attributes I hope both of my children will possess throughout life. I have already begun teaching these virtues.

4. There are also seven deadly sins:

This one is a little dark, but I am appreciative of the fact that I can associate this miracle with the seven deadly sins as a constant reminder of what NOT to succumb to and what NOT to do: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride.

5. Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, just like the seven virtues, are all qualities that will be instilled in my children: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and wonder. After all, this new life was a gift in and of itself from the Holy Spirit.

6. Seven colors in the rainbow:

In Genesis, God completed his work with a rainbow as a covenant and symbol of his promise to us. Just as God made his covenant with us, I have done the same with my children, and what a perfect symbol of lifelong promise and commitment.

7. Seven represents PERFECTION:

When God saw what he created in Genesis, he knew that it was good. What he made during those seven days was perfect, just as the gifts he has given me. Both Presidents are perfect, as well as every child who is born. All children are blessings and gifts from God.

After reading his, I hope you can see the wonder and amazement with my Badge of Honor being associated with the number seven. There are so many spiritual implications in this mark I carry, that there is no doubt in my mind where, why or how my children came to be. I finally feel complete, and it is marvelous in my eyes.