A New Song

Sadly, I have been away from the blog for awhile.   I've had the desire to write, but haven't found the time, space, or clarity of mind to do it.  Still not sure I really have the latter, but I do want to capture some of Luke's arrival and the journey of new life with him. So, here goes .... two months later :)

The last time I wrote was March 25th which was during this space in time ...... this holy passage I was moving through awaiting Luke's birth.  It is hard when the heart must wait, yet so much happens when it does.  I was truly at the end of myself during this waiting period, and my faith was stretched fully.  I was counting down the Mondays until April 20th.  The 20th was the day we had a c-section scheduled for our son's birth.  Monday April 6th came and went.  Monday April 13th came and went. They were days among many others spent fighting for hope.  The fear and anxiety was creeping in strongly the last couple of weeks and I literally cried pleas to my Father over and over again for everything to be okay this time around.  I knew who He had been to me in the darkness of loss so I trusted, but I was ready to experience His kindness in the light.  My faith was stretched and I was clinging to Jesus with everything in me.  I had to believe he was making all things new even though I could not yet physically see my son. 

Well, my good Father knew just how stretched I was.  At my Dr. appt on April 14th Luke's heart rate was dipping, not dangerously, but it was slower than we had ever seen it.  My doctor and I agreed that it was "GO" time.  With our history of losing Kate in the 39th week, and my being 37 weeks along at that point, we decided it was safe and right to move ahead with a c-section that day.  It all happened so quickly.  I had just enough time to make some calls and texts and get Dave there to be with me :).  God, in all of his mercy, grace, and loving compassion allowed this wild ride to end 6 days early. He knew I could not take much more. 

Luke David joined us at 4:02 in the afternoon and our prayers had been answered.  We prayed for a pink, squirmy baby with a LOUD cry that would fill the operating room with hope and joy.  Tears of relief and tears of joy fell down my cheeks as I heard that loud cry, and as I laid eyes on my pink squirmy boy.  This long awaited moment was finally here.  I had dreamed about this moment shortly after losing Kate.  I longed to be at that hospital again and just have it all go differently.  The way it was supposed to go.  It was a sweetness I cannot capture in words to meet Luke and to see him in Dave's arms for the first time. This delivery was also deliverance.  Deliverance from the fear of silence, of bruising and discoloration, of stillness.  Deliverance into LIFE.  Redemption before us.  God is good.  He was on November 17th 2013 and he is now on April 14, 2015.  We witnessed his power and his miracles both days.  Both days sacred in their own way.

We had many with us in the waiting room.  These were mostly the same friends and family that were with us on Kate's birthday.  I have heard about the air they breathed when Dave texted them a picture from the OR ..... they took deep breaths of fresh, clean, spirit filled air.  There were sighs and tears of relief and of joy.  Hugs and screams all around.  Luke's birthday holds a unique holiness because of Kate's holy birthday.  These people who are so dear to us and have walked this journey with us know and feel it like we do.   Again ...... she matters.  One friend kept hearing the Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow".  So that is what we did that Tuesday.  We praised and worshiped the One who created Kate and Luke, and the One who makes all things new.  

This boy is not lacking in love.  He has had so many arms ready to hold and embrace him.   The adoration he receives from his sisters is unbelievable.  My heart fills to overflowing seeing them all three together.  The delight we all have for him is evident and beautiful.  I honestly have trouble taking my eyes off of this kid!!   He is so very precious and his life a powerful testimony of our amazing God.  I feel fully the weight of this gift we have received in Luke David. 

Georgia Shae photography

God has brought Luke, our LIGHT, to remind us that death does not have the final word.  Luke, our LIGHT, has restored joy and hope to our family and our community.  Luke, our LIGHT, is a very precious gift who has caused a new song to rise in us.  

"Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.....!"  Psalm 98:1

 Georgia Shae photography