Blessings continue for me as I continue to be privileged to love and hold the babies in the NICU at a local hospital.
As I reflect on my most recent visit, I am so thankful that the person who answered the phone, despite saying the census was very low, checked with the head nurse, who did allow me to come in. This afforded me one more special encounter with my little buddy.
My little buddy, the boy who was born full term weighing 2 lbs 7 oz was the one I held first. I was so happy to see that he looked fuller in the face to me but it was difficult seeing he was still as fussy and unhappy as ever.
Photo courtesy of sean dreilinger under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)
It was with mixed feelings that I learned he would actually be going home soon~somehow I could sense it would be the last time I held him. Sure enough that was the case as he went home before my next time there. I tried to soothe him, holding him close, for about an hour before the nurse took his vitals and fed him.
This particular week I helped do some paperwork for the nurses, then held a new to me girl for about 1 1/2 hr. Even though my little buddy was two nursery sections away, I could hear him crying so I headed his way when I was free. A nurse was trying to comfort him while he remained in the crib but when I came over she let me pick him up and hold him. It really took a long time to calm him down as I ran through my gamut of songs a few times as well as praying for him and his family.
Eventually, I just kept saying his name and he suddenly became quiet, closing his eyes just resting so peacefully in my arms. As I sat there rocking him, seeing him so peaceful there, thinking of the two months bonding time I was blessed with, brought a flood of tears to my eyes. All the emotions of loving this little guy, pondering his future and life were all released. God’s presence was there. A few of the nurses were amazed that he was finally quiet; the first time all day he was sleeping. It was such an honor to know that God used me to calm him bringing my little buddy a few moments of peace.
He will always have a special piece of my heart and I will continue to pray for him and his family.
This encounter made me think about a few things in relation to our lives too.
Rough patches will always be a part of our lives on this earth. Unfair, bad things will happen~~
~loss of friendships may occur
~death of a loved one is inevitable
~an incurable disease may present itself
At times these things may make us feel like kicking and screaming, just like my little buddy did so often. It may even turn into a pleading with the Lord.
When you go through a rough patch in your life, who or what soothes you?
~Do you turn to some addiction to try to cope?
~Do you complain to others?
~Do you keep dwelling on the negative?
~Do you take time to be alone to cry out to Jesus? To tell Him the pain you are experiencing and ask Him to help you?
~Do you seek out those trusted friends whom you can share with? Those that will encourage you, yet be honest with you?
How can you have peace despite trying circumstances?
~By standing on the promises of God, your Father.
~By spending more time in prayer.
~By recalling how God has been faithful in your life.
May I encourage you, the next time you are going through a rough patch in your life, to let the presence of God and those people who will support you to soothe you, giving the peace that only He can give.
Most of all, I pray you may hear the Lord gently calling your name assuring you that you are resting safely in His arms!
Israel, the LORD who created you says, “Do not be afraid–I will save you. I have called you by name–you are mine. –Isaiah 43:1 (GNT)
The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy.’ –Deuteronomy 33:27 (ESV)
