The Gift of LIFE

 Today is the March for Life in our community.  I did not know about it until this morning or I would have made plans to walk, but I have some friends that I know will be participating.  12 hours after I found out that I was pregnant with Lizzy (although obviously I did not yet know it was her), I found out that I also had appendicitis. And so I had emergency surgery.  I am so thankful for the help that I received from the surgeon who took care of me, but I will never forget how he kept saying to me "Should you choose to continue this pregnancy..." and  then telling me about some of the hardships/risks.  It had never even crossed my mind NOT to continue the  pregnancy and I finally told him adamently, "I WILL be continuing the pregnancy, so just do what you need to do to take of us both."

The recovery was REALLY hard.  I was super sick with morning sickness and was in so much pain from where they had opened my up, but I refused to take any pain medication because I knew that all of the baby's body was being formed in those early weeks.  I did not want to risk being more comfortable to possibly cause harm to the unborn baby growing inside.  I know this was maybe extreme, but I made up my mind and stuck to it.  And for a few weeks I was depressed.  I was annoyed when people called to check on me.  I was sick of the pain.  I was frustrated and mad and hating that I couldn't just take care of everything myself.   I am so thankful that I had friends that still called, prayed, brought food, wrote cards, came over and encouraged me when I did not give them much back.

  

After I made it through the first 15 weeks, the nausea subsided and I had recovered from the pain of the surgery.  One thing that my body never fully recovered from was fluid retention.  I had so. much. fluid. So Dr. Brown decided this was reason enough to have Lizzy make her grand entrance a little bit early.  She was born at 36 weeks, but still a strong 7lbs. 12oz.  And she was ready!  

One of the most encouraging moments when I was struggling after the appendectomy surgery came after Dr. Brown came to check on me one morning.  He asked how I was doing and I threw my toast down and started crying and said, "Not very good."  I do not remember what else I said, but I know I caught him off guard.  He did not really say much before he left, but about an hour later an ultrasound technician came into the room with her machine.   She did an ultrasound and I saw little Lizzy, so very, very tiny and there was just a flicker inside this 1/2inch image.  Her little heartbeat.  I noticed it was picking up at 60-70 beats/minute and I told the lady my concern for it being so slow.  And she said, "Oh no, do not worry I think we are seeing the heart when it has just began to beat." I cannot even tell you how this lifted my spirits!  To think that I saw Lizzy's heart just as it began to beat.  What a gift!

When she was 18 months old, Lizzy was asked to be a part of a fashion show for the "Women's Pregnancy Center" in Grand Forks, ND.  One of the ways they try and help the women who come to see them is by giving them an ultrasound.  So they can see the life growing inside them.  Such an incredible gift and an incredible organization.  When I look back, it seems so fitting that Lizzy, who loves life and has such a heart for the fatherless, would be chosen to be a part of their show.  She is wearing the outfit they chose for her in this picture...

What is a life worth?  

It still bothers me how matter of factly that surgeon said, "If you choose to continue this pregnancy."    God chose her before the foundation of the world, for good works.  (Ephesians 2:10) God formed her inward parts and wove her together.  She is fearfully and wonderfully made.  Her frame was never hidden from Him.  And His eyes saw her unformed substance.  And God wrote in His book how many days she would live. (From Psalm 139:13-16) And grace upon grace, God chose me to be her mommy.  

 I have many friends who have been blessed to become a mommy through adoption, by another woman choosing to continue their pregnancy.  May we have hearts of compassion.   May we love people with the love of Jesus, so that we may encourage them with the wonderful truth that each and every person is made in the image of God and share with them God has a plan and a purpose for each life.  Places like the "Women's Pregnancy Center" in Grand Forks, ND do a good job of this.  And I am hoping that the march here today enables many establishments and organizations around north Texas to continue in helping woman and families in this way.  And of course I am hoping it inspires a belief in LIFE for many people.

Here is our Lizzy, now nearly 8 years later.  She is full of love and life and such a gift to our family.

Thank you Lord for protecting Lizzy so many years ago.  Thank you for protecting me.  Thank you for her precious life and thank you for that flicker of life you used to encourage this mommy's heart so long ago.