Miracle in the making

Tonight I'm feeling very reflective. I just spent the last little while visiting a blog that has brought back a flood of memories. A young couple is sharing the birth story of their precious little micro-preemie, Gwyneth Rose, born at just 24 weeks. This adorable little "White Rose" is now 12 weeks old, but still so very tiny. While this is miraculous in itself, this true-life story has so much more depth. You see, the babies Mommy, Tricia, has Cystic Fibrosis and is currently, as I type this, in surgery receiving a double lung transplant....AND...today is her husband's birthday!! This story truly is more amazing than any novel you could ever find on your library shelves. Oh how my thoughts and prayers are with this sweet family tonight.

Viewing the incredible pictures of this wee baby has so touched my heart. You see, I was born at 25 weeks and Doctor's gave absolutely no hope for my survival. Gwyneth Rose is getting the best of care offered today for preemie babies, but back almost 46 years ago there was basically nothing that could be done. I am an identical twin, and both my sister and I weighed only a pound each at birth. The nurses held us in their hands like a pound of butter - no larger than the palms of their hands. We were each placed in an incubator and my parents were left to just watch each breath. Eyes riveted to the rise and fall of each little chest. Would another breath come? Would this be the last? My parents made 101 visits to the hospital before they were even allowed to touch one of us. People began praying for us all over the world. We became known as the "Miracle Babies". My older sister who was 18 when we were born, was rushed home from her summer job at a Christian camp so she could see her baby sisters while they were still alive. Born with undeveloped lungs, diseases, too many complications to list, the Doctor's said it would only be a short time before our lives ended. But God!

When our parents finally brought us home we had to be fed every 3 hours night and day. My Dad was working a night shift at that time, and it would take my Mom the entire 3 hours to feed us both as we were slow eaters. My parents painted the toenails on one of our feet red so she would be able to know which baby she had already fed. Many nights she wouldn't even have time to change into her night clothes, never mind get a couple of hours of sleep.

We were almost a year old before we were able to finally go outside, but because our lungs had not been used to fresh air, every time we went for a walk in our stroller we would be nauseous. It was a long, slow development, but God was so gracious. He continued to breathe life into two little girls.

A few years ago a very dear friend of mine gave birth to twin girls at 25 weeks. Her precious little daughters lived only a short while before going to the Father's arms. The passing of these girls left me questioning. Why Lord? Why did You allow these babies to die while You gave life to my sister and I? I struggled so much with the mystery of God's sovereignty. Was I living my life to the fullest? Was I fulfilling God's plan for me?

If you're reading this, know that God has a plan for your life. You are not here by mistake or chance. God is the only One who gives and takes away. Cherish each day. Live each day. Thank the Lord for every moment. And, if you feel led, would you pray for Tricia, Nate and Gwyneth Rose? Their's is a miracle story in the making. Our God is able!