Today is my daughter’s 25th birthday. When I think back to the day she was born I remember that it was the beginning of a journey that is so precious in my memory. The journey is entitled, “My God Is at Work in my Life.” Let me share with you how it started.
My husband was pastoring a small church in Tennessee. We had insurance, but it didn’t cover maternity – just general things, and that was okay until the day I discovered I was expecting! Maybe it was my youth (I was 25), but I wasn’t alarmed. However, my husband and I wondered how we would be able to pay for the delivery. Perhaps they would allow us to make small payments.
I had a wonderful pregnancy. Morning sickness was brief and I felt great right up to the end (other than feeling like a beached whale near my due date!). My husband and I attended Lamaze classes and felt like we were going to be okay when the delivery happened. We had one more class to attend before completion and it was to be a video of a C-section.
On September 21 I an appointment at my doctor’s office. I went alone to the visit. My doctor poked and poked at my protruding belly. I wondered if there was a problem, but was afraid to ask. I left the office and headed to my car. As I approached the car I had a pain shoot across my side. I didn’t think much about it. After it stopped I headed home.
That evening my husband took me out for pizza date. The baby was due in two weeks and we thought this might be the last chance to have a date. We took a walk after we came home, and again, I had a sharp pain in my side. I stopped a moment, then brushed it off. I went in and cleaned the house – I mean really cleaned the house! Then I ironed. Then I went to bed, leaving my husband watching a ball game.
At about 1:00 in the morning I awoke with the realization that my water had broken. I called for my husband who had taken to sleeping in the guestroom over the last couple weeks because of the awkward positions I needed to sleep in to be comfortable. He came in and began…making phone calls. “Honey, don’t you think we should get to the hospital?” I asked. Expectant fathers are funny! There was no one on the roads at that hour, but he drove with his flashers on and faster than was allowed (I think just because he could!).
When we arrived at the hospital I found that the nurse on duty was a gal from our church; I’d hoped I would get her and the Lord went before me. She examined me and said, “Denise, the baby is breech.” My heart sank because at that moment I remembered my doctor telling me, “You’ll do fine with the delivery as long as the baby isn’t breech. If it is, we’ll have to do a C-section.” My heart was saddened and fearful when I heard this news and understood what would now happen. My desire to have a natural birth would not be realized; I was having surgery.
Things moved very quickly from that moment, and it wasn’t long after an epidural had been given that the sweet cries of a baby were heard in the delivery room. My husband was there by my side watching the whole procedure, reveling in God’s blessing of birth. Whitney Leigh was delivered weighing in at a tiny but precious 5lb, 4oz, and 18 inches long. She was the first granddaughter on both sides of the family, and the answer to my prayers for a daughter!
We were in the hospital five days and recovered without any complications. When we got home we received news from our insurance company that her birth was covered because it was an emergency surgery and all we owed was the nursery costs! God went before us. Her being breech was His design; it was no accident.
I could tell you about so many times that the Lord provided for our family after Whitney’s birth. It increased my faith each time I saw Him go before us and take care of our needs. Groceries, clothing, camp funds, home school books, college tuition, jobs, even vacation times. He has abundantly blessed us – not always way in advance of the need. Sometimes it was at the very moment the need was crucial. But He has always provided. He is faithful.
So on this day of Whitney’s 25 birthday, I remember many things that the Lord has taught me through the blessing of the daughter that He gave us. Today I also count the blessing she has been to me. I am so grateful for God’s gifts.
Happy Birthday, Whitney! I love you.
RefreshHer 
awww!! how sweet, Momma. I love you too! =)
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I loved this post–probably because it reminded me of similar circumstances. My 25 yr. old only son was also born via an emergency caesarian section. We were missionaries in Canada at the time, and their controversial socialized medicine paid for all of it! “The Lord works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform!”
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We are all blessed to know you and Whitney! She's a blessing to me.
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Isn't it such a blessing to see God work in our lives?
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