And they sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, because You were slain and purchased for God with Your blood people from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them to our God a kingdom and priests, and they will reign on the earth." Rev. 5:9, 10.
The medical staff told the chaplain that he was in for a tough visit. A young couple had had a stillborn baby. The chaplain arrived on the third floor to see a crowd of people laughing in the hall. The desk nurse told him the room number, and he made his way through the crowd and entered a room completely dark except for the dim crack of light coming from the bathroom. In the bed he could see the mother. She was young and pretty, with blond hair and tired-looking eyes. "Hello," the chaplain said feebly. Words never mean very much at a time like that. "I'm the chaplain."
Despair filled her eyes, and she was clearly in pain, yet sleepy, as if she had been sedated. She was holding the lifeless child. Before he could say anything she handed him the infant. The little girl was wrapped in white blankets, her little face lifelike, her body limber. Looking at her, one could imagine her as just asleep. The father was slumped in a chair, staring out the window. He was in shock, not even able to communicate, and barely acknowledged the chaplain's existence. Sitting next to the mother was the grandmother, sobbing endlessly.
The chaplain stood there, holding the stillborn little girl. Help me, Lord; help me, he prayed silently, gently cradling the lost dreams of this young couple. He suspected that their house had a fully decorated bedroom, waiting for an occupant that would never come. How many times had her husband and she talked excitedly about their new child? How many gifts, good wishes, plans, and dreams had they shared in anticipation?
The chaplain couldn't hide his tears as he led them in the "Our Father." Handing the baby back, he told them he'd be there if they needed him.
In the hallway others were celebrating the arrival of their child. He quietly asked them to please try to keep it down a little, out of respect. They quickly did so, sensing the young mother's pain.
Either of the parents of the stillborn child would have done anything to make their baby live. They probably would have given their own lives if it meant saving their child. That's what Jesus did when He decided to give up His life rather than see us die. He had a choice between eternal life for Himself without us, or giving it up to save us. Jesus couldn't live without us--you and me. That's how much He loves us.
Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You died for me. I want to feel the full impact of that sacrifice in my life today.
The medical staff told the chaplain that he was in for a tough visit. A young couple had had a stillborn baby. The chaplain arrived on the third floor to see a crowd of people laughing in the hall. The desk nurse told him the room number, and he made his way through the crowd and entered a room completely dark except for the dim crack of light coming from the bathroom. In the bed he could see the mother. She was young and pretty, with blond hair and tired-looking eyes. "Hello," the chaplain said feebly. Words never mean very much at a time like that. "I'm the chaplain."
Despair filled her eyes, and she was clearly in pain, yet sleepy, as if she had been sedated. She was holding the lifeless child. Before he could say anything she handed him the infant. The little girl was wrapped in white blankets, her little face lifelike, her body limber. Looking at her, one could imagine her as just asleep. The father was slumped in a chair, staring out the window. He was in shock, not even able to communicate, and barely acknowledged the chaplain's existence. Sitting next to the mother was the grandmother, sobbing endlessly.
The chaplain stood there, holding the stillborn little girl. Help me, Lord; help me, he prayed silently, gently cradling the lost dreams of this young couple. He suspected that their house had a fully decorated bedroom, waiting for an occupant that would never come. How many times had her husband and she talked excitedly about their new child? How many gifts, good wishes, plans, and dreams had they shared in anticipation?
The chaplain couldn't hide his tears as he led them in the "Our Father." Handing the baby back, he told them he'd be there if they needed him.
In the hallway others were celebrating the arrival of their child. He quietly asked them to please try to keep it down a little, out of respect. They quickly did so, sensing the young mother's pain.
Either of the parents of the stillborn child would have done anything to make their baby live. They probably would have given their own lives if it meant saving their child. That's what Jesus did when He decided to give up His life rather than see us die. He had a choice between eternal life for Himself without us, or giving it up to save us. Jesus couldn't live without us--you and me. That's how much He loves us.
Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You died for me. I want to feel the full impact of that sacrifice in my life today.
RSS Feed
