December 7
God reached down from on high and took hold of me: he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
Psalm 18:16-19 (NIV)
December 2012 was a memorable advent for our family. Our third grandson’s birth was not unexpected, but his actual birthday was. He and his mother found themselves in a situation where the only cure for her condition was for him to be born and the risk for him was, he was not ready. (HELLP Syndrome)
She was hospitalized. The doctors monitored her responses to the interventions that kept her stable and they monitored the baby’s responses to medications being given to encourage lung development. She couldn’t eat until her blood work came back to confirm that her numbers were ok and most likely there would be no C-section for the next several hours.
The amount of information we received was overwhelming, the dire statistics from the neonatal team pierced our hearts and every day mattered. After six days there was a placental abruption. The neonatologist prayed with us as Chris gowned up and they prepared to take Meredith to the OR. (Due to an anesthesia issue Chris had to wait outside the OR with us.)
We met Ben briefly as he rolled by in his incubator on the way to the NICU. It was December 16, 2012. He was born 100 days early, at 25 weeks and 5 days gestation. He weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces. The NICU team said, “He looks good!” It was a miracle.
My word count tells me I must end my devotion here. Many of you remember this journey and prayed for us. Ben, and his younger brother Wesley, attend 9:00 worship with their parents, Meredith and Chris Spaugh. You may have met them.
What gifts have you received because you have the love of God?
Peace, Hope, Joy, Love?
Maybe this Psalm is about Advent after all.
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for your wonderful love and support that brings us into a “spacious place” when we feel powerless to cope with the disasters that surround us. Amen.
Marian Sherrill
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