A Teeny Weeny, Big Ole Blessing: Preemie Survival Story!

Sometimes big blessings come in small, i mean really tiny packages. That was my unexpected discovery years ago when i delivered my first born child Moriah on a chilly spring morning in 2008. My husband and i like all first time parents excitedly waited for the birth of our first child but would never imagine our first introduction to parenthood would have been so spontaneous, tumultous and heart throbbing. My water broke at 2am on Feb 16, despite all efforts to slow the labor process, Moriah pushed her way into the delivery room three months ahead of schedule. She was premature, weighing only 2 lbs and had an umbilical cord tightly wrapped around her little neck. She was unresponsive with no vitals. The room was swarming with teams of medical folks waltzing too and fro, screaming commands, fighting feverishly to ensure this little life would survive. She was a mess! Holes in her heart, bleeding in her brain and underdeveloped lungs. As a new mother i was so frightened. Every thought of panic clouded my mind. “Why Lord, why me, why now and why this?” i had a quick moment of clarity to shoot a prayer to heaven; with a tear filled cry i muttered: Lord save my baby! Dont let her die!

Over the course of the next three months i would watch this teeny weeny lump of life, battle infections, apneas, 4 surgeries, have a ostomy bag hanging from her little abdomen. Baby Moriah endured all this while tucked inside a glass case. The incubator became her first home before we could take her home. Nothing can rightly describe the pain of watching in agony as your child suffers with the gnawing feeling that your precious baby could possibly die.

Abraham faced a similar challenge in Genesis 22 when called to go to Mt Moriah. He was already past 90 years old and had waited for over 40 years to see the star studded miracle God promised years before. Nonetheless he was called by God to sacrifice his only son. The same son God promised in Gensis 17 would be like the stars in the sky. Talk about plot twist!
Although the test was insanely difficult, the plan uncertain, and outcome unknown, Abraham’s trust in God’s love was unwavering. The book of Romans, Chapter 4 provides great insight into Abraham’s disposition. It states “even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping, believing he would be the father of many nations just as God said”. Verse 20 adds ” in fact His faith grew stronger and he brought glory to God.” Finally God spoke to Abraham and assured him that Isaac would be spared any harm and affirmed that his obedience and faithfulness would be rewarded. Abraham believed God would do just what he promised! Even if it meant raising Isaac from the dead (Heb 11:19)
Despite the unbearable trials we face, our resolve comes from knowing and trusting that
1. God truly does love us
2. His desire is not to harm us
3. His promises are real
4. He is able to keep us in His perfect peace as we weather life’s debilitating storms.
I imagine God the father, as a parent watched in agony as his only son endured the incomprehensible pain of the cross. Its comforting to know He sees our struggle, knows where we are and does care about the details of our lives.
A decade later, Moriah now weighs in at 90 lbs, is the tallest girl in the 5th grade class, an avid reader, Spelling Bee school finalist, pianist and an absolutely delightful child. Her journey growing with grace from a teeny weeny preemie to a princess has been one of the biggest blessings of our lives. Yet another testament of the unmatched love of our great creator who is able to make beauty out of our ashes, trade our sorrows for joy, and gives us His strength for our fears. Whatever you are going though, please hold on in faith believing God will do just what he promised. If you enjoyed this post leave me a comment, like and subscribe. As always, have a mango-licious day!