One of the first things I remember my parents telling me about my birth was that I was born dead. No breath in my body. The umbilical cord wrapped three times around my neck – a still, lifeless, blue-faced baby.
And because they were teenage hippies, living in a strict, religious commune, my birth day unfolded far from any hospitals and doctors that might have been equipped for such a medical emergency. Instead, I was born into the hands of a midwife in the crowded bedroom of a rundown house, part of a compound shared by forty or so other people in a sketchy part of town. The only life-saving measure available to them in that place was prayer. And so they prayed. Word was passed from person to person, room to room: the baby’s not breathing; pray.
Finally, after several long minutes had gone by –more than anyone thought possible to still sustain life, God heard their prayers and answered with breath in my lungs. It was a miracle, they said. I shouldn’t be alive. But I was.
Because of this, even as a small child, I always had the sense that I had cheated death somehow. That every day I got to live, breathing, was one more than I should have had.
Life is a gift.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. -Lamentations 3:22-23
oh Emily Hope, your birth story makes me weep for joy–what a scary, and wonderfully miraculously blessed beginning of life you have. Thank you for sharing, it gives God much glory. He obviously intends for you to live a life for His glory. A very Happy and Blessed New Year to you and yours, love, Sandy
oh Sandy, thank you so much for your beautiful words of encouragement! They brought tears to my eyes. So very grateful to be able to point to Him. Amazing grace. Happy New Year to you!
Praise God! That is a great story! An absolute miracle! God holds our next heartbeat in His hands! God is so good and loves us so much! I love your mini hanging wall calendar with the small clothes hanger. I wonder if your unique upbringing influenced your artistic talent & gifts?
Isn’t He good?! My birth story has been a constant reminder to me of His love. and I hope that I bring glory to Him with whatever gifts He gives! happy to hear you’re enjoying the calendar 🙂
What a fascinating snippet of your life! So glad He allowed you to stay and grace us with your beautiful artwork! 🙂
thank you, Kim! I’m so glad too!
This is so true. Three years ago he overland bus (the buses here in Chad, Africa, always drive like crazy) nearly ran over me when I was already turning left. He would have hit me directly at the door of my car. It was God’s mighty hand that stopped me just in time. There was not much space between my car and the bus left, … Every single day is a gift from HIM!
Wow! So grateful He protected you, Mechtihild!
thank you for sharing! and thank you for putting before our eyes the TRUTH that the Lord has great love for us, that His compassion never fails, and that He is faithful! (thank You, dear Father!). <3
yes, such beautiful, comforting truth, isn’t it, Coleen!?