Delight or despair?
A call from the hospital.
Too early – and yet. . .
Hope and fear.
The anniversary of a birth
followed so shortly by a death.
God is the author of life
and for this child we have prayed
But. . .
God measures life against eternity.
Not so far-sighted – my perspective,
knowing God does not always answer
as I wish.
Fears – yet trust.
Trust – yet fears.
Bleeding.
The stuff of life draining away,
but a heartbeat steady and strong.
A tiny cry,
piercing, sharp,
different from any newborn I have heard,
yet alive, vigorous, protesting.
So tiny, this little life,
so vulnerable.
High-tech nursery,
artificial womb,
pinnacle of human skill
yet so much less
than womb designed by God.
Compassionate, professional care
for child and mother.
A little one squirming,
arms and legs rarely still,
tubes and wires attached.
Vulnerable
yet overflowing with life.
Arms that ache to hold
Cameras clicking, clicking,
trying to catch the magic
of each moment.
Needles, tubes, sensors,
wires and leads.
A mother rejoicing to hold
for the first time.
Triumphs, setbacks,
weariness, celebration.
And still the cameras click.
Fears – yet trust.
Trust – yet fears.
For this child we still pray.
Paige Ruth – a joyful name.
Young Assistant – Blessed Helper,
Companion – Faithful.
A Messenger of Hope.
Each day a little stronger
and hands that long to touch, to hold.
Fears – yet trust.
Trust – yet fears.
For this child we will pray
for God is the author of life,
the giver of every good and perfect gift.
Is there any gift more perfect
than a newborn babe?
Hope – in a broken world.
Joy – in a hospital’s corridors.
Love – in a young mother’s eyes
arms
heart.
And the father
with stilted words
says with body language
what lips and tongue cannot express.
Love – surrounding a little one,
cherishing her,
pouring life into her.
Not just from mother’s breast,
though very much from there.
Joy – in every motion,
every rise and fall of tiny chest,
curl of fingers,
stretching toes.
So much life
in such a tiny bundle.
And this story
though a million times told
is still so new, so fresh,
so brimming with life and promise.
And under all, God’s hand,
holding, protecting, loving.
The Creator Himself
intimately involved.
He knows her name,
watches each rise and fall of her chest,
each beat of her heart;
Wove her in her mother’s womb,
knit her together,
fearfully and wonderfully;
Loves her with the same fierce love
that chose a cross
rather then letting his people perish.
Fears – yet trust.
Trust – yet fears.
But GOD. . .
. . .
and that is enough.
Due April 9, but born March 5, we continue to rejoice in our newest granddaughter. She has been home from the hospital for a number of weeks now and is steadily gaining weight.

Looking for a place to feel inspired and challenged? Like to share a smile or a laugh? Interested in becoming more familiar with Canadian writers who have a Christian worldview? We are writers who live in different parts of Canada, see life from a variety of perspectives, and write in a number of genres. We share the goal of wanting to entertain and inspire you to be all you can be with God's help.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts
-
I've been writing professionally for most of my adult life. My first novel, THE JOSIAH FILES was published twenty years ago by Thom...
-
-an article for the Light Magazine ‘Healing Pioneers’ series By Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird We will never forget seeing Kathryn ...
-
-an article in the Light Magazine ‘HealingPioneers’ serie s By Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird One of Agnes Sanford’s most signifi...
-
A tiny cottage nestles in the woods on a country road , with little more than the basic services of electricity and a land phone. The lady o...
-
Write Canada is more than a professional networking conference. It’s a safe place where beginning and intermediate writers can learn ...
-
I am no expert on the subject, but I know the punch-in-the-gut feeling of being caught in the middle, a friend hurting desperately, searchin...
-
Did you know that not all the novels you see on the shelves of your favorite Christian bookstore are actually written by the individuals who...
-
Putting up the Christmas tree always was and continues to be one of my favourite family things to do. I don’t know why—could be a Charlie Br...
-
by the Rev. Ed Hird One year ago, on May 1st, I sensed that I was to once again visit every home in Maplewood and Deep Cove in North Vanco...
-
As I contemplated Remembrance Day 2016, I recalled some First and Second World War veterans I’d met personally over the years, and also se...
3 comments:
Thank you Brian for this beautiful poem. Thank you for taking the time and the effort to post under difficult circumstances.
Judith
It's so good to read your work again, Brian. You've taken us into the heart of a very human situation, yet touched with a consciousness of the Divine.
Peter.
Brian, I am not usually a fan of poetry, but this is beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Blessings,
Eleanor
Post a Comment