Prayers in the maternity ward
When Elyse was in labor with Lily, they asked me to leave the room during the epidural procedure...
They said dads faint more during that procedure than during the actual delivery. (Cue "Let the Bodies Hit the Floor" soundtrack)
As I was waiting in the hallway, watching Elyse's and Lillian's vitals on a common screen, all of a sudden their heart rates dropped... Significantly.
And it stayed that way for 15+ minutes. Fluctuating, but nowhere near healthy.
And I prayed. Like never before. With a deep rooted groan and pacing. I began walking the halls of the delivery ward, praying over the rooms and begging God to fix whatever was wrong...
And then the door opened.
And Elyse was smiling. (Clearly the epidural had worked.)
The heartmonitors had been jostled around, and were therefore quite inaccurate...
But instead of being frustrated or embarrassed that I got so worked up...
I viewed my prayers as answered.
Because they were.
"We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone." (Psalms 33:20-22 NLT)
Perspective is everything.
God's protection and love is everything and more...