I have had a longing—not just a desire or whim—but an unusual longing to hold a baby over these last few weeks of quarantine. I love babies, sure, but this has been an out-of-the-ordinary and recurring thought.

No, I am not pregnant in the natural, but we are pregnant in the supernatural! This time has reminded me of “nesting.”

What does it mean when a woman is nesting?

This urge to clean and organize is known as nesting. Nesting during pregnancy is the overwhelming desire to get your home ready for your new baby. The nesting instinct is strongest in the later weeks coming upon delivery. It is a traditional tale that once nesting urges begin, labor is about to come on.

What stage of pregnancy do you start nesting?

Nesting usually kicks in at around week 28 of your pregnancy—when you are in the home stretch. This is known as the third trimester, and it’s when your body starts preparing for the arrival of your baby.

When I was pregnant, I was intentional about the preparations for baby’s arrival. There was great thought and prayer in the planning. What do babies need? How do we feed them, clothe them, love them? How is each one unique; would they have needs specific to them?

There is a stirring, a sense of excitement, as well as a sobering reality of the responsibility that would lie ahead—it’s both exhilarating and scary at the same time!

I believe the Lord is stirring hearts of His Church to use this time for nesting. One of the prophetic words for this year was to expect lots of spiritual babies. We need to plan for them! We are to be readying our hearts, homes, and our Church home to bring these new babies into the family. How are we going to feed them, clothe them, love them? What will their unique needs be, and how are we preparing to meet them?

I want to be ready to nurture these spiritual babies. If I am longing to hold them, how much more does the Father long for them to come home?! God, give all of us this nesting instinct… prepare us now to open our hearts and homes to Your children. As they are adopted into Your family, thank You for entrusting us with their care.

We are expecting!