Don't touch your baby...
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She was born in a Catholic hospital before the nuns left. And her story testifies to why it mattered…
Born weeks early, she ran into trouble. “Code blue” was the last thing I heard before they all rushed out of the room with her. Every NICU mama knows what the next days looked like. The lights and plastic boxes with babies, charts, and alarms...
Once, I touched her back lightly. Her O2 sat dropped, the alarms went off, and I got a harsh lecture from the doctor after they stabilized her…
“Don’t touch your baby.”
So I just watched. Every day. And since I couldn’t sleep, I watched her at night as well, rocking in the chair, wishing I could see her face uncovered from tape and tubes.
About a week into our stay, I was keeping vigil at 3am. Two nurses were at the desk that night though it was usually just one at that hour. I’d never seen them before. We were the only ones there. They approached me together and said they didn’t usually work there but took every opportunity. “We are Christians and this hospital is a blessed place. We love to be here.”
They asked if they could pray over my daughter and I said yes. I watched as they put two sets of hands into the isolette and laid them on her back…
The child who wouldn’t be touched didn’t flinch.
They praised and glorified God and they prophesied. They spoke of healing and mission. And when they were done, they turned to me…
“She’s going to be okay.” They explained…
“God protects this hospital. The sisters will not provide contraception or abortion benefits to staff… and He blesses that.”
I never saw them again. And the hospital has since passed into secular hands. But this beautiful girl continues to grow in grace. I wish those nurses could see her now.
Dear Birthday Girl…
“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying…hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thess. 5