"God Got to Show Off": Aunt Weeble's Perspective

Never before have I had so many emotions well up inside of me in such a short time than I did last evening. I had planned on meeting a friend to go to hear another friend give her testimony at a church close to my parents house. Earlier in the day I received a phone call from my mom (around 2pm) that my 9 year old nephew "had an accident" but she thought "he should be okay." Never at one moment did I think that anything would go awry. I was totally at peace, knowing that everyone was okay and that I'd be able to see them the next day and love on my nephew. Little did anyone know what would happen next.

A little while earlier Christian had been running around like a normal 9 year old having a blast at the park on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon. Laura (my sister; Christian and Nicholas' mom), mom, and other sister Tiffany were all there together. I was at work of course (I miss everything!). This playground is brand new-- maybe about a year old or even less. Christian and Nicholas were  reveling in happiness as their feet pounded against the wood chips covering the playground floor. Nicholas is Christian's younger brother and they seem to rile each other up sometimes, right mom (wink, wink)? Christian decides run underneath the bridge and he soon realizes that the bridge is no match for his height. Nope, the bridge won out and he walked away feeling a little weird. He touched his head and brought his hands down to see that he was bleeding. Profusely. He started to walk toward Laura and as you can imagine she wasn't exactly overjoyed to see him with blood gushing from his head. Thankfully, and undoubtedly soverignly placed by God, everyone around them helped in any way imaginable. There were no towels so Laura's friend gave her shirt to put on Christian's head, an ex-police officer was there helping as well (he ended up leading the way for my mom to follow him to the new Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh). Police arrived moments after a call was placed; the ambulance not much longer after that. The events fit together perfectly as if it was already planned out. Laura's friend was able to take Nicholas with her while Laura rode in the ambulance with Christian. My mom and Tiffany followed quickly behind and Rob (Laura's husband) was already at the hospital when they arrived. Did I even mention that in all of this Laura is 37 weeks pregnant?! [Big smile]

They arrive at the hospital. Christian handled the situation surprisingly well-- he didn't even shed a tear! He never lost consciousness, knew who he was, where he was and was entirely alert for the whole thing. Now that they're at the hospital, everything will be okay. You would think that is enough action for one day, right? Wrong! What comes next will absolutely shock your socks off. Surely there is no lack of drama in our family! While they were waiting for the plastic surgeon to see Christian, Laura begins to feel some discomfort. They've been sitting for a little while and she was just beginning to relax a little bit after the tension and anxiety of what had just happened to her son. Little did she know, she would be finding herself in a room filled with doctors giving birth at a hospital that specializes in taking care of children-- not mothers!!! Hey, at least she was at a hospital, right? The doctor that was there to deliver baby Ethan was a woman named April-- go figure! The entire staff was incredible and their kindness far exceeded anything she had ever experienced. The staff isn't exactly prepared to deliver a baby every day, but they were that day. Ethan was born at 6:19 pm after Laura began to feel a little "off" around 5:45.

While this is happening I am driving to pick up my friend and I call my mom for an update on how Christian is doing. While I'm on the phone with my mom I receive a text from Rob saying "So this is an exciting day...baby Ethan just graced us...:-)"! I'm absolutely flabbergasted. A million questions begin to flood my mind and emotions capture my heart-- so many emotions and thoughts I couldn't even think straight! I felt elation for Laura, horror for Christian, shock, joy, and compassion all at the same time!! I literally couldn't wrap my mind around it. Plus, if I was feeling this way, I couldn't even imagine what my sister was feeling!! I immediately change my plans and head down to the hospital with my family. Laura was taken by ambulance from Children's to Magee, where they could care for her more adequately.

Leaving the hospital I was overwhelmed. Ethan is a precious miracle. Christian's accident was not an accident to God and Laura was safely kept in the care of kind and loving doctors who rushed to her aid instantaneously. Christian's head will heal in time, praise God.

This story reminds me of God's sovereign hand in our lives. Laura was actually in the hospital a few days earlier thinking that Ethan was about to arrive, but was sent home because he just wasn't budging. She was afraid that she wouldn't get to the hospital in enough time because Nicholas was almost born in the car on their way to the hospital, so she knew she could very well have another fast birth on her hands. But God allowed for her to be in a safe place at just the right time. I'm overwhelmed by God's goodness; His loving care for His children, and the amazing blessing and miracle of the birth of a child. I am blown away. As we were leaving the hospital last night Laura said "God got to show off today!" Yes, Laura, yes He did.