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Monday, March 17, 2014

The Gift

Hello,

March is such a special month in our family because we celebrate a number of birthdays. But there is one birthday in March that is very special to me, this week I celebrate the 43rd birthday of my only son, James.



 Forty three years ago, I was a very young mother of a rambunctious three year old and a nursing three month old. My husband and I had a cute little house in the suburbs of Mpls. and he worked the night shift. I was a busy stay at home mom, raising our family and active in my fathers church. 




At my 6 week check up after the birth of my second daughter Kerri, the doctor told me about a new birth control he thought I should try called an IUD. He said nothing else about this device other then, "I would be a good candidate for it because birth control pills didn't agree with me". At the time I did not know it sloughed off the fertilized egg, at the time I did not know what questions to ask, at the time one did not question the advice of your doctor, it was a different time and I was a naive twenty year old. And so with much pain he inserted the IUD, it took me almost a week to be able to function normally and at the time I did not know that this was not normal. 



As I mentioned, I was nursing Kerri and by her third month I was having trouble keeping my milk up and I was feeling tired and nauseated.  I remembered the doctor telling me if the IUD slipped out of place I could have pregnancy like symptoms, so I made an appointment while dreading the pain I might have to go through again.
As I lay on the table waiting for the doctor to return, I wasn't prepared for what he was about to tell me, "everything looks good, the IUD is in place but... you are pregnant". I started to cry. "We cannot remove the IUD or the baby will abort, but don't worry the IUD will just float along side the baby and it will come out with the afterbirth".
 As I got into the car where my mother was waiting to pick me up, I burst into another flood of tears and told her the news. She looked at me and without a blink she said, "Well, the way I see it you have two choices... you can cry and feel sorry for yourself and make this pregnancy hard on you and the baby or you can accept this baby as a gift and start thanking the Lord for it now. 
There in the car, at that moment I chose to thank God for my new gift.


Me pregnant in my eighth month holding Kerri.

 I am not going to tell you the next few months were easy, I was tired and had morning sickness while trying to keep up with a three year old and a new baby. During that time my husband got laid off his job, we sold our house and moved to a farm farther north, which is another story in itself. The house was later condemned because of rats and we moved again before the end of my pregnancy... but I am getting off my story. 


Around my sixth month, I was having what I thought were Braxton Hicks pains, it was slight and I ignored it thinking nothing of it. During this time we were having a series of meetings at our church with a visiting speaker, who was well known for his prophetic gift. We were a Charismatic church believing in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. During one of the services the speaker called me up to the front of the church and told me the Lord had a word for me, to this day I wished I could have recorded the prophecy. What I do  remember is vivid, he said that I carried a son and the Lord has His hand on him, he will be blessed. That the Lord has set him apart for His glory and He will be used by the Lord. The Lord has a work for him.



I carried my baby full term without anymore problems. I gave birth to a healthy seven pound, 19" boy named James after his father, the Hebrew name means, One who follows.
After James was taken away by the nurses, the doctor was having trouble finding the IUD. I was aware that there was a problem and we joked about the baby not handing him the IUD... I was not a fan of the anesthetic at the time, so I had a natural childbirth without anything. I was Aware. Not finding the IUD he scheduled me for a D and C the next morning and I signed the papers. 
I woke up from the D and C with great pain in my abdomen and also a large incision. The head of obstetrics came in and explained to me exactly what they found. The IUD was initially inserted wrong and perforated my cervix, thus my pregnancy... it never worked (a relief for me after finding out how it functioned). But it also tore a hole in the uterine wall, traveled through it and eventually lodged in my intestines. I carried this baby full term with a hole in my uterus. The doctor was quite excited over all this, he said they also found my appendix swollen twice it's size and removed it (hmmm a two for, I thought).
 He went on to give me the statistics of this birth and the healthy condition of the baby and ended by saying... he was a miracle baby.



 For the next 5 days, I met doctors from various floors of the hospital coming down to examine "the miracle baby". They all said the same thing concerning his condition, he was one of the healthiest babies they have seen, in all aspects and especially in his muscle tone without taking in the circumstances in which he was born. God was true to His word.
The pre and post natal care, hospital bill and surgery was all taken care of by my attending physician. No, I did not sue, Yes, I had a case but does one bring allegations for an unwanted pregnancy against someone... when that pregnancy is from the hand of God... not this person nor my husband.



I later had three more beautiful baby girls, each one a blessing and all my five daughters a story for another time. 


James my only son blessed by God in health throughout his life with hardly even colds or flu, favored with a successful career and above all a generous heart now celebrates his 43rd birthday.
 One of the greatest joys of my heart and a blessing to my soul.
Happy Birthday to my son, my gift and my blessing. 





Sometimes life gives you a challenge that you didn't ask for or you thought was not wanted or needed. At the time it seemed to look like a mountain of a burden.
 In my life, I believe all things come from God or is allowed by God, I am His child. Whatever comes my way He has already  prepared a way for me, when I seek Him first. He only has good things for me, just as a loving father has for his child, even though sometimes we do not understand the gifts. Even though we do not perceive them as gifts but trials or mountains or insurmountable problems.
 And we know that all things work together for good, for those that love God and are called according to His purpose. 
Romans 8:28
I wonder if while sitting in that car 43 years ago listening to my mother's words and the choice I had before me... what if I had chosen not to be thankful, what if I had chosen to just go with my selfish feelings and let the circumstances of what I thought them to be overwhelm me... I wonder if the outcome would have been the same.
In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Thess. 5:18  
 I believe our choices allow God to work and we see His glory in our lives the more we choose to just trust him.
We all have choices, sometimes we don't always make the right ones and I am the first in line for bad choices but I believe God's grace is sufficient for those also. And as we become more aware of our choices and choose to be thankful and trust Him, the more we will see the hand of God clearly.
Today if you are facing a mountain you seem to think is impassable I encourage you to give it over to God, start thanking Him for the gift that He has in this challenge. Trust Him, He will not fail you.
Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation, neither shadow cast by turning. James 1:17

Blessings,
Rebecca






24 comments:

  1. Hi Rebecca, what a beautiful and touching story. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

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  2. amazing story. truly one of amazing grace!

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  3. Your amazing story really touched my heart. Happy Birthday wishes to that wonderful son of yours.

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  4. Thank you for sharing this amazing story of God's grace and provision. You are so right, sometimes those little surprises in life that look and act like a trial and a hard road are the very things he uses to bring miracles to our lives. Your boy looks like a wonderful man and I'm sure he is a blessing in your family. Have a blessed day! Linda

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  5. Beautiful story straight from heaven. :)
    Blessings~

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  6. Rebecca, This is a beautiful post. Happy birthday to James. Hope you are doing well and enjoying life. I have missed visiting you, lost my blog list, just now found you on another list. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  7. Rebecca,
    Yours is a glorious testimony. What an amazing God we serve. Happy Birthday to James!

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  8. Thank you so much for sharing your story of a wonderful faith increasing experience!! Happy Birthday to your son!

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  9. Beautiful story!! Happy Birthday to your son!

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  10. What a great story and I really needed it today for some reason. I am getting older as is my husband and I know that in the future we will face mountains that we probably won't like. I hope that at that time I can remember this story because it's a powerful one. Choices - we really need to just let God make them and go with the flow don't we? Hugs to you.

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  11. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story! So true many times what we think as a curse or problem turns out to be a blessing! Happy "Birthday" to both of you!

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  12. R.E., I am beyond words. I'm laughing, smiling, clapping and weeping...all at the same time. God's power overwhems me and there is nothing I can add to His majesty...or your words praising Him...except halleujah, our God lives!
    Love you and miss you!
    Deb
    P.S. Happy birthday to the both of you.
    P.P.S. I think it's time for you to write a book. Your life is an amazing testimony.

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  13. I'm a Rebecca, too....Maybe a similar age :) I had what they called then a "septic abortion" between our first two children when I became pregnant also with an IUD. I was young and forget a lot of details.....the sadness though, I remember.
    Facing what feels to be range of mountains right now....aware of God's grace and mercy even when I don't necessarily "feel" them :)
    What a handsome man, your son James.

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  14. Oh my, this Beautiful Heartfelt Testimony and very Personal Story brought tears to my eyes! Happy Birthday to your Handsome Son... Stories like this warm my Heart! Our Youngest Daughter was often told she should never have children because of a serious medical condition... she tried never to have children, but God had other Plans... and every time I behold each of her five Beautiful Children, His Plan to bring each of them into this World we are Truly Thankful for, even though she was never pesonally well enough to raise any of them, extended Family have stepped up to and realized what a Blessing each and every one is and what a Priceless Gift from God. I am in total Agreement with your outlook on such things even when the circumstances aren't Ideal, if we but look for the Blessing it will become quite Evident!

    Blessings and a big Hug from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

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  15. This is absolutely beautiful my beautiful friend!!! I loved reading your precious heart today Rebecca. Happy Birthday to your handsome son. What a joy our children are---even though it isn't always an easy thing to do to have a lot of children, it is always worth it in the long run. Your beautiful family is so lucky to have you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    much love from me...

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  16. I loved reading your miracle son story. Happy Birthday to him...he did grow up to be a handsome man! My baby boy is my miracle. In a different way, but still a miracle! God is soooo good!

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  17. What an incredible story, Rebecca. Such a testimony of God's loving grace and faithfulness! Thank you so much for sharing this miracle with us! God bless you!! ♥

    xoxo laurie

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  18. Amazing blessing, miracle child. I needed to read this very post right now. Thank you.

    Many Blessings,
    Sheila

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  19. All I have to say is a resounding AMEN!! to your touching story which bears witness to God's love for you and all of us! Thank you for sharing!! I admire you and bless you!
    Laura

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  20. What an absolutely beautiful family. Of course their mother is gorgeous, that helps. That is amazing. What an ordeal and at age 20. You were brave and your faith led you through it, that is wonderful.
    Hugs and happy birthday to your miracle baby :-)

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  21. God is so merciful. You are blessed indeed!

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  22. Praise God! Thank you for sharing this precious story with us.

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