Back To Birth

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning my friend's husband called me to say his wife's water had broken and they were at the hospital. I assured him I'd be right over to take up my duties as the doula. When I arrived he said he was surprised I sounded so awake and answered on the first ring. That's all the midwife facade! I can answer and sound coherent at any hour...but that doesn't always mean I am. (just ask my teammates and apprentices)

This would be my first birth since coming home from Asia and I was a little nervous. However, it was the most amazing experience and God used it to show me more and more of the vision he is birthing in my heart. I've cringed over the past few months as people spout off the Christianeese about God's plan being the journey not the destination. Easy for them to say I think when they aren't back feeling like they are starting from scratch.

The second nurse my friend had for most of the day was the most amazing OB nurse I've met and couldn't have been more helpful and encouraging. I got to chat with her throughout the day and was just reminded what an amazing impact these women have in helping moms who have more complicated births. In the midwife community I've found there can be a lot of discord and prejudice against others in the medical community and it makes me sick. Working for so long without strong backup has made me appreciate others in the medical community.

As I head toward nursing I'm not, as some have suggested, turning my back on what I've done before. God's just showing me a bigger vision in working as a team both in the US and abroad. I'm excited for the ways God is going to let me minister in my own country for the next few years. I still see the faces of women dying around the world, and hope returning oversees is in the future.

I was reading back through Romans 11 &12. I've memorized 12 before, but forgot the preceding verses. They establish the wisdom of God and His plan for his people and the Gentiles. That's the foundation for offering ourselves as a living sacrifice. There is so much more to life than the work. I'm slowly seeing how the hurts and bends in the road have prepared me for this time and nothing was a waste. God is good.