Most sequels are not as good as the original, but stick with me here. This is God’s story, and His sequels are always phenomenal.
The week of my scheduled C-section, I was almost as nervous as I had been with my previous surgeries. The August Awakening revival was just a couple days before Jacob’s arrival date, and as always, the preacher prepared his message just for me. (Well, at least it seems that way.) The sermon was based on Philippians 4:4-7:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The morning came, along with texts from friends and family assuring me of their prayers for safety. I was so thankful people were remembering to call my name aloud to the Father on my behalf. After dropping off our girls, Jason and I headed to the hospital. The normal routine began: introductions, questions, a quick change of clothes, and then the IV. Now it was time to wait. I pulled out my Bible and began to read my daily chapters. I was in Isaiah 41. Every single word felt like God whispering in my ear. I couldn’t stop. I read and read until I made a stark realization. I was now reading the exact verse God had given me that day I prayed over the news of my pregnancy! Tears were flowing. Jacob’s verses had been Isaiah 44:3-5. But look at the two verses immediately before those:
“But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.
This is what the Lord says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.” Isaiah 44:1-2
Suddenly the Philippians verse came back to mind. “The Lord is near.” Well, there was absolutely no questioning that now. I could feel Him like never before. My prayers began to change from those of safety and protection to prayers of thanksgiving. “Lord, You are so good! You are so real, and You’re HERE! Please help others to sense Your presence here. May the birth of my Jacob lead people to You. May his very life be used to accomplish Your purposes.”
I must’ve told 10 people in the hospital about those events (and countless others since). On the day we were leaving, one of the sweet nurses taking care of our tiny newborn was giving me a rundown of all Jacob’s medical care. We both realized a pretty significant mistake that she had made. Her eyes grew huge, and she began to apologize. I told her that it’s ok, and that God wouldn’t have allowed it if He didn’t want it to happen. She left the room to further look into the mistake. When she came back, she told me there was only an error in the paperwork and not in the actual procedure. We were both relieved, but she began to cry. She told me that she was so moved by our story and faith, that she wanted that kind of relationship with God. She was a Christian and attended church as she was growing up, but had since stopped. She had been doing things her way for a long time now, and it was taking a toll on her marriage and on her relationships with her children. Her eyes were now open to the true cause of much of her unhappiness. She believed God was calling her to guide her family to Him while her children were still under her influence.
How amazing is God?? How great is He to speak to a shaky, nervous nelly like me? What amazing power and wisdom for Him to use a tiny newborn to accomplish His purposes in several lives at one time! He was orchestrating this whole thing before I even knew I was pregnant. The story of Jacob’s verse, finding out he was a boy, God answering a sister’s prayer request for a baby brother, every piece was given to our family to strengthen our faith and to be told so that another may be led back to Christ. I will tell the stories of how God has used my children until they are old enough to tell the stories He gives them personally. And oh, how I can’t wait to hear them proclaim their testimonies far and wide!
Oh Father, thank You just isn’t enough! Any word I use to tell of Your goodness just can’t encompass it all! May every single person reading this experience Your voice spoken to them in such a way that they have no doubt of Your magnificence and Your presence. Help us to then share that with others. May our children be mighty for You even in their youth. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Below are just some of the verses included in my reading that day:
“See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare;
before they spring into being I announce them to you.” Isaiah 42:9“I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:9b-10“so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.” Isaiah 41:20
“But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.'” Isaiah 43:1-2 (This one was also texted to me that day by a friend.)