I am a cheerleader. No, I have never even entertained the idea of donning a short skirt or flinging pom-poms around while wearing a plastic smile. But, I do jump up and down and hoot and holler when I see Grace in people. When I sense grace, I cannot sit still nor can I remain silent. I want to shout about this grace, saving grace from the roof tops.
The most amazing grace moments have got to be births. Not many things are as glorious to me as attending a live birth. I have been on both sides of the birthing process: the one giving birth and the observer.
You know you have been honored when a woman invites you to be a part of the birth of her child. It is a sacred and solemn moment. It is the witnessing of a miracle ~ new life coming into the world. Usually people have to hold me back from exploding with excitement when a new born is on the way. Just ask my sisters. I have been shushed.
There are always terrifying moments when a woman is giving birth. There are things beyond one’s control. It is a balancing act of life and death. There have been times when all I can speak is a desperate prayer. Imploring the Giver of Life. Give life… breathe life… keep death at bay.
By the grace of God, I have been present at spiritual rebirth as well. I have seen the blackness of Hell looming over a soul and I have seen the power of God pull one from death into life. All the while, I am cheering. I am shouting for joy when I see God beat back hell and death. I am on my knees crying out to Jesus when I see the shroud of death blind a soul from the Truth.
Recently, I have been attending a new reborn one. I also see the evidence of rebirth coming in many more. It makes me want to shout – jump – be in awe – stand back and see the salvation of the Lord.
Birthing is a roller coaster of emotions and is always messy. Life can only come this way. The temptation to let someone else attend a birth is strong – someone else more qualified, more experienced – a professional. But sometimes… people are born in cars or in the grass or on the floor. Not in a hospital bed surrounded by professionals. Sometimes… you find yourself being a midwife, prepared or not.
There was a time when I wanted to be a midwife. For a time that dream had died. But, I think God had a different kind of midwifing in mind…
[15] Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, [16] “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” [17] But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. [18] So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” [19] The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” [20] So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. [21] And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. (Exodus 1:15-21 ESV)
~ Your Fellow Sojourner
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