April 20, 2021
I cried out to the only one who could HELP me! “Oh God, please let this baby breathe.” One of the experiences which had a profound impact on my life occurred about 2:00 am working in the delivery room. I witnessed the watchful eye of God watching over me that early morning.
I believe it was a Kairos Moment, a defining moment when my heart was captured! It was at that moment my interest in the heart and heartbeat of life was fully conceived, initiating my divine journey revealing truths about the correlation between the physical, emotional, and spiritual heart.
Working In Labor And Delivery
Working as a Registered Nurse, and in charge of the supervising and monitoring of patients on the Obstetrical Unit. Monitoring the progress of the patient in labor while determining how long it would take the doctor to arrive before she went into full labor and delivery of the baby was a challenge. Unfortunately, there were no OBGYN physicians who remained in the hospital at night. Preparing ahead, the delivery room was set up for the doctor and the delivery of the baby. It was this mother’s second baby, and I felt my assessment and timing were on target with the progression of her labor. Familiar with the situation and the Physician, I was challenged to be fairly accurate in my timing. I was always reluctant to call this particular Physician fearing my timing may prove inaccurate, and he would not arrive in time for the delivery of the baby. Feeling confident in my assessment in the progress of her labor, a phone call to the doctor to come for the delivery, and the mother was taken to the (delivery room). I could not bear the thought of the Physician not arriving in time. The nurse assisting me had a look of panic on her face. There was complete silence between the screams from the mother’s labor pains, and things were moving faster than anticipated. Then, I began to hear a different scream from the mother. I knew that scream! I had been in labor before and knew what was about to take place. Dressed in my sterile attire and prepared for the unexpected, her labor continued to progress at an accelerated rate, and she was crowning (the baby’s head was appearing). I began to pray for the Physician to walk through the door. As I stood there praying and looking for him to walk in the room any minute, a feeling of calmness came over me.
WOW, What An Arrival!
Well, it happened, the baby decided to make his appearance and keep his appointment with the world, and I had the privilege of assisting in the delivery. Needless to say, the Physician did not arrive in time. Standing there with the baby in my hands and thanking God things were okay thus far, the clamp was placed on the umbilical cord and gave the baby his freedom. He was now on his own for life. Nervousness does not adequately describe how I felt; shaking in my shoes, praying the baby would start breathing. So much was going through my mind. What if the baby did not start breathing? Was there still a heartbeat? I began to suction out the nose with the bulb syringe. The baby looked lifeless. At that moment, to hear the crying of the baby would be the sweetest melody on earth. It was a good time to pray. I prayed, “Oh God, please let this baby breathe.” I began to think of what I was going to do next; about that time, the baby let out a loud cry, and we both began to breathe. Without that first breath, there is no life. It takes the first breath before life can transition from the womb to the world, hence God gives the breath of life (spirit), and we become a living soul.
This was a Kairos Moment before I fully understood the concept of a Kairos Moments. In retrospect, as a young Nurse, I now understand that God used this experience as a defining moment to determine the trajectory of my life. This moment captured the attention to my fascination with the functionally of the human heart and later my divine journey began revealing truths about the correlation between the physical, emotional, and spiritual heart. I am eternally grateful for the experience and how God used for me to seize my Kairos Moment, captivating me for a lifetime.
I embraced and meditated on (Proverbs 4:23)
“Keep vigilant watch over your heart,
that’s where life starts.”
The Physician Late For Delivery
After the baby arrived, the Physician walked into the delivery room. After my heart had skipped a few beats, I stood frozen in my tracks ready to offer an apologetic explanation; the doctor said, “Good job!!” and gave me an approving smile. I have always had delayed responses in many situations, especially those times when life and death are suspended in the scales fighting for control.
Reflecting! I look back and thank God for his guidance and protection. Later that night, I began to reflect again on what had happened. What if the baby did not begin to breathe and the heart ceased to beat? Or what if resuscitation measures had failed? I took another deep breath and prayed again thanking God the delivery was a success. Praise God!! The amazing intricacy and design of the human heart is the sum and total of human life. There is no physical life without a heartbeat.
Prayer of Thanks for God’s Gift
Father God, Giver of life, thank You for the safe delivery of this healthy baby boy. Thank You for being with me as this delivery progressed at a faster pace than anticipated. Although the Delivery Room Physician did not arrive in time for the delivery of the baby, Father God You were there all the time! I praise Your almighty for your faithfulness and thank You for this new life. Thank You Father God for this precious gift of life, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!