| Sunny Side Up December 4, 2002 �2002, Kathleen Gibson A Christmas miracle for Baby Freddy �Are we doing a live nativity this year?� my friend Amanda asked�she of radiant face and roundly ripening tummy. Parents of two tiny girls, she and her husband, Fred, had placed their order for a boy. Barely into her twenties, Amanda is an enthusiastic worker in the music and women�s ministries in our church. Those of us who work with her affectionately call her �our little Amanda.� "I don�t think so,� I said. �Oh.� Her voice reflected disappointment. You see, Baby Number Three, due in late November, would have been a perfect Baby Jesus. And Mary could be the baby�s own mother. But I was wrong about the live nativity. There would be a scaled-down manger scene after all�inside the church, during the pageant. No real donkeys or goats or calves, but a genuine, for-real Mary and Joseph and Jesus�Amanda, Fred, and Baby Number Three. Or so we hoped. Amanda approached me before church that last Sunday of November, music book in hand. �I�m supposed to play for the soloist,� she said. �Except I�m having a few little contractions. Will you play if I�ve gone to the hospital before he sings?� I prayed. But she stayed. Played. Then went to the hospital. Baby Freddy was born only hours later. Eight pounds, and a few ounces. Joy to their world, but not for long. Amanda called me from the hospital the next morning. �He stopped breathing and turned blue, but just for a moment. I think he�ll be fine.� But doctors transferred wee Freddy to Regina, a two hour drive, later that day. Amanda called from Regina. �His blood vessels aren�t going in the right direction, and his spleen isn�t quite right. They want to do heart surgery, so they�re flying him to Edmonton.� She spoke calmly. Thanks to e-mail and phone, an army of friends were already praying. Prayer chains a whole country wide began floating the young family on their prayers. Then Amanda called from Edmonton. �He�s off the ventilator, and getting stronger. The doctors are delaying surgery as long as they can. It might not even be necessary! We believe a miracle is happening.� I drooped against the cupboard in relief. She continued, a smile glimmering through her tired voice. �I want to bring this baby home in time to be Baby Jesus in the pageant,� Then she added, softly, �but whatever happens here, I know God is in control.� I don�t know the end of this story yet, but Freddy is improving dramatically by the hour. Hundreds are still praying. Me too. �Father, thank you! Continue to give Fred a supernatural peace and trust in your goodness and love. Keep Baby Freddy in your healing hand. Direct the doctors� decisions.� But I find I can�t call Baby Freddy�s mother �our little Amanda� anymore, even in my prayers. �And Lord Jesus, fold Amanda, this remarkable young mother, this woman of faith, tightly in your embrace. As tightly as Mary once held you.� Amen. Amen. If you have a Christmas miracle of your own to tell, email kg[email protected] |
 |