How God Redeemed Our Birth Story

"Erupt with thanks to the Eternal, for He is good

and His loyal love lasts forever.

Let all those redeemed by the Eternal—

those rescued from times of deep trouble—join in giving thanks."

Psalm 107: 1-2 (VOICE)

This past weekend my youngest daughter Georgia turned two years old. The time has gone by quicker than I ever imagined it would. It’s hard to believe it’s been over two years since we spent those days in the hospital waiting for her to come. Days filled with lots of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation at what life with two little ones would be like.


You see, both of my girls are miracle babies. Just in very different ways. Before you read any further, I would encourage you to start here. Years ago I wrote about Brooke’s birth story and it will help you better understand the miracle of how God redeemed our birth story the second time around.


My pregnancy with Brooke was high-risk. I developed Cholestasis of Pregnancy, or ICP, during my second trimester. ICP is a liver disorder that effects the flow of bile and cells in the liver. It is extremely dangerous because if not diagnosed, there is an increased chance of still birth. There is no cure (besides delivery) but it can be managed with medication. The main symptom of ICP is moderate to severe itching. I spent hours a day clawing at my hands and feet. To sum up, it was not fun. You can read more about my experience with ICP in Brooke’s birth story and I will include some resource links at the bottom of this post.


I say all that to say, this is where God’s redeeming work began. He redeemed our birth story long before we ever set foot in a hospital. During my pregnancy with Georgia, God healed my body of ICP. Let me explain. You see, there was no medical reason that I should not have gotten it again. Statistics show that with each pregnancy, a mother’s chances of developing ICP only increases if she’s had it in a previous pregnancy. Let's just say the odds weren’t in my favor.


Every few weeks I would have my doctor test my blood work levels. I waited in fear for the itching to begin. I waited for the sleepless nights of clawing at my legs and arms. I waited to feel the fear of a high risk delivery again. I waited and waited.


I knew I couldn’t hold onto the fear anymore, so one night during my second trimester, I prayed fervently over Georgia in the name of Jesus for healing. I prayed that He would not let my body go through what it had before. I prayed that there would be no trace of ICP during this pregnancy. Tears fell as I released my body to Him. To this day it’s still one of the most powerful prayers I’ve ever prayed. A prayer prayed out of desperation and release.


I felt God’s peace flood over my entire body. I knew I didn’t need to worry about ICP anymore. God was in control and He had healed my body. The itching never came. My blood work came back at normal levels every time. No ICP. No early delivery. No high risk pregnancy.

Already God had redeemed our story, but He was just getting started.

The time had finally come for us to check into the hospital to have Georgia. As we checked in, the nurse led us to the corner room just on the other side of the nurse’s desk. I paused as she motioned for us to come around the corner and get settled in. Please, no. Not that room. I thought.


For it was in that room where my first baby had to fight for her life. It’s in that room where I saw panic come across Brian’s eyes as he watched his wife and baby girl face obstacle after obstacle. Nothing in his control and nothing in mine.



It was in that very room where my daughter came into this world not breathing. That room. That room was not a source of joy for me. I remember emotional pain, worry, despair, hopelessness, and an exhaustion I’ve never felt since.


No, God. Don’t put us in that room. You know the trauma and awful memories this room holds.


As the nurse handed me a dull blue hospital gown I felt God’s presence. Do you know my power child? I’ve got you. Do not worry.


As the day progressed, several of the same issues we had with Brooke’s labor and delivery happened again. They had trouble locating Georgia’s heartbeat and I spent much of my labor time moving from position to position trying to get a heartbeat read. I was terrified that we were going to repeat the same birth experience.


But God.


God knew that my heart’s desire was to have a positive birthing experience with Georgia. He knew everything that happened with Brooke because He was there through it all. He was there as the team of doctors and nurses rushed around her to keep her alive. He was there in the moments afterward when my body was utterly give out from exhaustion. He was there on the empty hallway when my husband broke down sobbing on my father in law’s shoulder as we waited for doctors to confirm whether or not Brooke would need to be air lifted to a children’s hospital.


God was there. He never left us. His healing power saved my first daughter and I believed He would do it again.


God absolutely redeemed our birth story. After she was born, she went right up on my chest, perfectly healthy. Perfectly redeemed. There was no respiratory team or anyone that took her from me. God gifted us the moment I had wanted for a long time. Just me, Brian, and our new healthy (and pink!) baby girl. Georgia Hope. Yes, the middle name was very intentional.


We were able to take our time with her, take in every one of her features. When Brooke was born, I had no idea what she looked like until I saw her hours later in the NICU. But not this time. God showed us His power and His love by giving us the sweetest moments after Georgia’s birth.


We spent a few days in the hospital, not because of Georgia, but because of me. Because I had hemorrhaged a few weeks after Brooke’s birth, doctors kept a close check on me throughout our stay. I was ready to leave the hospital but also a little nervous at the thought of what the next few weeks might bring. What if they missed something and I hemorrhaged again? What if this time was worse than the last?

But I knew God was with us and this was an experience He was going to redeem to the end. Weeks went by and I never hemorrhaged. Glory to God.


I spent some time thinking about why it’s taken me so long to write this story out. I think in part, it’s very difficult for me to go back and relive the trauma of Brooke’s birth story. I've spared a lot of the details here, but the experience was a difficult one. God healed her, Praise Jesus, but the experience left an emotional scar that is hard for this mama to open back up. But I needed to open it up, because opening it up allows me to look at both my girls and realize that they are both miracles.


Writing this story of redemption has been very healing for me. I am so very thankful for all of God’s mercies and His protection over us. We had a wonderful team of doctors and nurses during both experiences and I praise God that with each birth, He put the people in place that I needed most to be there.


Nurses that prayed over me and my babies, a doctor who took me seriously when I had concerns that my ICP was back a second time. He obliged me with each blood test I requested, even though the results came back negative each time. Nurses who were encouraging and patient and comforting as I shared with them the experience of the first go round and how I was scared out of my mind we would repeat the process. None of it an accident. Each person placed there so God could continue out His redeeming work. I find it simply amazing that God would pay that much attention to the little details.

Georgia’s birth healed me of the trauma I had experienced during Brooke’s birth. God took every fear that had remained there since Brooke’s birth and delivered more over.

And that fighter baby, the girl who spent time hooked up to wires and machines that helped her breathe the first hours of her life, she’s four now. She runs and plays and throws the most Oscar worthy tantrums I’ve ever seen. When I look at her now, it’s hard to believe where she started. But that is the power of our God. She is a walking miracle and testimony of God’s faithfulness and love to us.


And my Georgia Hope never ceases to amaze me. From the moment we found out we were expecting her, God’s hand has been all over that child. Through her, He has given us such immense joy. He has repeatedly shown us His power through her.

Credit: Mallory Kate Photography 

Let me tell you something friend, God is still a God who redeems. You need to know that. Whether it’s a birth story, a marriage, a prodigal child or a diagnosis that seems hopeless. He is still the God who redeems.

"This is why I keep telling you not to worry about anything in life—about what you’ll eat, about how you’ll clothe your body. Life is more than food, and the body is more than fancy clothes. Think about those crows flying over there: do they plant and harvest crops? Do they own silos or barns? Look at them fly. It looks like God is taking pretty good care of them, doesn’t it? Remember that you are more precious to God than birds! "

Luke 12:22-24 (VOICE)

Friend, if you think God has forgotten you or you’re worried about a situation, find comfort in these words from His Son. “Remember that you are more precious to God than birds.” God is still working. Trust in His power. Trust in His timing. Trust in His faithfulness.



My Prayer

God, first and foremost, I love you.  Thank you for my miracle babies and the fact that you are a God who is in control of every situation and every single thing.  You are magnificent in your ways.  I pray that each person that reads this story of redemption knows that you have the power to do the same thing in their life.  I pray my words have pointed others to you, because you are the only reason this has all happened.  God, you transform us.  You give us the desires of our hearts and want us to testify to your goodness.  I want to do that today and all of my days.  I want to testify to your faithfulness and the wondrous redeeming work you do in all of us who call you Father.   In Jesus name, Amen.  

ICP Resources:

What is ICP?


Signs & Symptoms


ICP Care Facebook Page

1

Guest Post: Abolishing Fear One Thought at a Time

Friends, I'm excited to welcome Jennifer Dickerson as a guest writer today.  Jennifer's words will encourage you to put your fears up against scripture and throughout this post, helps us to navigate how our thoughts can hold us captive.  Thank you for sharing your words with us today Jennifer! 

A couple of years ago while I was reading a book about prayer, an author’s comment struck me as if I had gotten hit by a baseball. She stated that Satan could not read or know our thoughts. It seemed so simple but something that I had missed completely in all my studies as a Christian. 


I took this comment to my husband, who is a pastor, to get his take on it. He said, “Of course! He is not all knowing. Therefore, he never knows your thoughts.” I guess I have never really thought about it that way. That sent my mind reeling.


If Satan does not know my thoughts, then my thoughts are totally reflective of myself.  This hit me hard in my own struggle with fear.  

The truth is that Satan has no control over my actions (as in the phrase “the devil made me do it”), just as he has no control over my thought life. The fact is that Satan does have the power to put pressures around you to guide your decisions and thoughts.  


When I was younger, I had an affection for particular types of television shows that glorified the supernatural and downright satanic (now that I can reflect on it clearly) world. During that period of my life, I remember having outrageous fears that controlled my actions, thoughts, and even my dreams. When I was confronted with my un-Christ like affections and began to abandon this guilt like pleasure, I began to notice a change in my thoughts. I even had a strength that I never had against these types of entertainment.  


I even remember allowing a so called friend talk me into seeing a very violent and scary movie at a local movie theater. When the movie began, I realized that the pressure in my friendship would create unnecessary fear and chaos in my thoughts. I looked at my friend and said that I couldn’t go through with watching the movie. I then very happily walked out. That lesson cost me about ten dollars, but resulted in a strength that still continues.

Today, I have two beautiful children, a son and a daughter. My son has very strong anxieties and fears. A lot of his fears stem from thoughts that he has created. I stress “he has created.” I remind him that in Philippians 4:8, it says 

“…Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things.” 

I am teaching him to take his thoughts and measure them up to this verse. If he cannot say yes to the criteria stated in this verse, then we think of ways to change his thinking. Most fears that we have can also be measured by this verse. They are created by the pressures and situations that revolve around us. 

 






In Colossians 3:1-2 it states, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” We, as believers, are to be setting our minds on heavenly things. It requires an action on our part. If we dwell on a circumstances or situations without the truth that Christ brings, we are not looking at it with a heavenly perspective. We see it with “earthly-tinted” glasses. We see the anxiety, fear, and pain, not the hope that Christ provides.

Our thoughts that are not grounded and measured by heavenly standards can lead to us not following God’s will or missing out on opportunities that God has placed before us. Writing has been a goal that has been in the back of my mind for a long time. God has put me in the right place to pursue that dream. However, in my thoughts, the fear of failure often creeps up. Will I succeed at this? What if I can’t do this? These kinds of fearful questions often pass though my mind. 



However, I prayerfully measure them by the Philippians passage. The thing is I do not know if I will succeed at my goal. But I do know that trying and following God’s will for me is success. The pressure to be great will not crush the truth of God’s success. That success is ultimately obedience. Fear caused by misguided thoughts can pull me away from what God wants for me.

Thoughts can affect us tremendously. They can be uplifting. Christ can be honored through our thoughts. However, thoughts can also lead to insecurities and fears. They can lead us away from the God that we love and serve. They can separate us from others and cause havoc. We must take action. Our thoughts must be held up to the test of scripture before they take hold of our lives. Seeking heavenly things must be our goal in our thought life. This is one way to abolish fear from our lives.

About Jennifer

I am a wife, mother, teacher, and believer in Jesus Christ. I live in central South Dakota with my husband and two children. Before starting my family, I graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC with a MA with emphasis in Christian Education. I love teaching from the Scriptures and hope to use my experience and education to help other women find hope and encouragement through Jesus Christ.

You can visit Jennifer's blog and website here.

0

Guest Post: Investments of Confidence: The Lies and The Truth

I'm thrilled to welcome guest writer, Anthony Laricchiuti on this week's blog.  Anthony and his wife Sierra are precious people and they are living out what we've been talking about lately on facing fears and chasing dreams.  Anthony writes today on something that we don't often think about when it comes to fear. Confidence.  How often do we let lies and fear affect our confidence?    

Read Anthony's encouraging words and real life examples below. 

Why do we tend to invest our confidence in the world?



According to my recent research of confidence, I have understood that there is self-confidence (the trust or faith that you have within yourself and your abilities) and self-esteem (the opinion you have of yourself).

"Confidence is a complex quality that plays tricks on us, which is why we sometimes lack confidence when we shouldn't, or become overconfident at times when we should show some humility. In short, maintaining confidence takes work." 

 Andrew Tilin,Confidence: A Vicious Cycle

I believe that there is some truth to this statement. First of all, like having a relationship with God, maintaining confidence takes work. Secondly, there are always times when we need confidence and God would never want us to lack that. Lastly, we should not be overly confident as to have this quality replace the humility within our hearts. 


It is super easy to build our confidence from our worldly surroundings. Why? Because it is easily attainable. 


I know that I have my worldly sources of confidence because...let's be honest...I'm not perfect...


My deepest intentions in this post is to break down those sources and how I can use my faith in God to restructure my ultimate source of confidence. 

1. Work/School
2. Relationships 
3. Appearance 

Here are the LIES that come with these investments:

• Work/School:
• "I'f I'm not doing a good job, then I'm not enough...I'm worthless." 

• Relationships:
• "If someone doesn't like me, then there is something wrong with me...I'm not a good person."
• "If I do something to make someone upset, I'm a bad person." 

• Appearance :
• "If my outfit isn't 'put together,' then I have 'no style'." 
• "If I'm slightly over weight, then I'm fat, unattractive, out of shape, etc."  

Here's the turning point.  How does God intervene with the Truth?

• Work/School:
• "My grace is sufficient enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

• Relationships:
• "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:1

• Appearance:
• "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

• "But the LORD said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7

What am I taking away from this?

"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 

 2 Corinthians 12:10

I find relief in knowing that my confidence can be restored in God's glory. I am able to "let go" of my weaknesses when God's perfection takes the place of that. God's word has given me grace in the fact that HIS truth is my confidence. His word also shows me how to be humble and grateful for what he has molded. 

I want to conclude with you all a couple of key scriptures that have helped my heart settle in this topic: 

"Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance for what we do not see." 

Hebrews 11:1

My faith in God should be the ultimate source of my confidence, not in the world. This verse has been THE verse that has shaped my faith throughout my life. 

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me." 

 2 Corinthians 12:8

This verse is a reflection of how I should naturally plea to take away all the burdens of my heart and all the worldly things that try to measure up my confidence. 

My encouragement to you: let go of what the world says about you and the lies that surround it. Put your faith in a source that never fails and that can always be attainable. My hope is that God, as the ultimate source of your confidence, will provide encouragement, hope, and humility for your heart. 

Credit: Anthony Laricchiuti

Anthony and his wife Sierra make their home in central North Carolina.  You can check out Anthony's blog, The Lord's Day here, where he writes about everyday life as a newly married man, a soon to be therapist, and most importantly a servant of Christ.  

1

If You Want to Move Mountains

I sat on that rustic wooden church pew for what seemed like forever.  Waiting.  I was waiting for God to point someone out to me that needed prayer. Perhaps someone to sit with and pray over.  But that wasn’t what happened.  As I sat on that pew, looking up at the dimly lit cross hanging from the ceiling, I felt God whisper to my own heart.    

Are you going to release this to me?  You’re not wrong.  Yes, I am asking you to step out in faith and do this.  Stop fighting me.  Stop doubting.

It happened at our annual women’s prayer retreat.  I was one of the ministry team leaders hosting the event.  The morning was filled with problem solving, greeting women, and making sure things went smoothly.  It’s funny how God will remind you of who is actually in charge of how things go. 

I walked into the room where I had carefully crafted each prayer station for the morning.  The stations were designed for women to discover areas in their lives that had become a barrier to a closer relationship with God. As I sat down, I waited for The Lord to prompt me with someone who I could help pray for in the room.  

But all I could feel was a heavy weight on my own heart.  I sat there, paralyzed in fear at the thought of truly surrendering myself to what The Lord was calling me to do. I could do nothing but repeat, are you sure Lord?  His words kept replaying in my mind. 

Are you going to release this to me?  You’re not wrong.  Yes, I am asking you to step out in faith and do this.  Stop fighting me.  Stop doubting.

My neck got hot and the tears started to pool in the corners of my eyes.  I sat there gripping my hands around the edge of the pew, practically on the edge of my seat.  I could muster only one word.  Yes.  Yes Lord, if you’re calling me to this, then I will obey.  If you’re asking me to release my dream to you, then yes, I will do that.  Yes Jesus, I will trust that you’re going to be with me on this journey. 

You see, I desire to be a woman who moves mountains for God.  A woman who sparks change.  A woman who calls for generations of women to come together for Kingdom purposes.  And I’ve had this one dream tucked away in the back of my heart for years.  A dream that I thought was merely a daydream but is now being called out and put right in front of my face. 

And I’m absolutely terrified.   But throughout this journey of calling dreams to life, God has reminded me not to focus on the mountain in the distance, but on the hill in front of me.

Sometimes our dreams can feel like huge mountains.  Sometimes our lives can feel like we’re endlessly climbing uphill to get to the view we’re promised will be a good one.  And if I’m being honest with you, as much as I want to be a woman who moves mountains, I’m terrified to start the journey up the hill to get there.  But friends, I know it’s in those very hills where Jesus becomes more real to me than if I’m standing in the valley.

Maybe you find yourself there today too.  You want to be a woman who moves mountains for God but you find yourself looking up at this ginormous mountain in front of you and you’re thinking it’s simply impossible to climb.  Maybe it’s your marriage being restored.  Maybe it’s a prodigal child that won’t return home.  Maybe it’s a dream you have tucked away in the secret places of your heart. 

If you want to move mountains, focus on climbing the hill in front of you.

Some hills are small and we conquer those easily.  They restore our trust in God and we’re able to see his provision during times of difficult circumstance.  Some hills are treacherous, full of thorns and muddy ditches and overgrown bushes.  We need every bit of faith we have just to keep climbing.

Friend, if we start worrying about the big mountain in front of us and remain fearful of the big dream inside of us, then we miss the good work God does in us on the hills.

It’s on the hills where the molding takes place.  It’s on the hills that our character gets defined and we learn our strengths and weaknesses.  It’s on the hills where our callings are shaped and developed.  It’s on those very hills where our dreams become deeper Kingdom-seeking works. 

It’s in climbing the hills that God equips us, steady’s us, and draws us closer to Him.  It’s on the hills where He centers our focus on Him so that when we get to the mountain top, we proclaim His glory and goodness. 

Right now I find myself staring at a monumental mountain.  This dream that I believe God has planted in my heart, it seems so very impossible when I stare at it from the valley.  Because you see, from the valley looking up it seems that I might as well forget this God-sized dream of mine.  It’s seems too hard.  Too scary.  Too unknown.  And yet I sense God continuing to prompt me to start my journey up the hill. 

If you want to be the kind of woman who moves mountains for her God, for her Jesus, then be the kind of woman who bravely takes the first step without knowing where the hill will lead. 

I know it’s scary.  I know it takes a lot of faith.  I know everything inside of you probably wants to run from what He’s calling you to do.  But fear is no match for our God.  So start up the hill.  Your hill.  

It’s in those moments, the moments when you do things even though they are scary, even though they make you tremble, that make the view from the mountain top all the more worthwhile. 

 “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.^”

Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

2