Do You Believe in Miracles - Part Two

**This post was originally published on January 15, 2010.
**Updated on October 31, 2016.

If you want to read the first part of this story, click here.

Several months before Catherine was due to arrive, the Lord spoke to me during worship. We were singing the song, "Healer" by Hillsong. The chorus of this song says:

I believe you're my healer, I believe you are all I need, I believe you're my portion, I believe you're more than enough for me. Jesus you're all I need.

It goes on to say:

Nothing is impossible for you, Nothing is impossible for you, Nothing is impossible for you, You hold my world in your hands.

God spoke so clearly, saying that I was going to need this kind of faith to make it through a trial that was coming. Immediately I began crying out to God, "Not my children. Anything but my children!"

Miracle Number Three:
Shock and Awe!

My birth story is relatively uneventful. I was induced, and it went a lot faster than anyone expected, and my husband almost missed it because he thought he had time to get a bagel, as well as my doctor who came in after the pushing began, but after only two pushes, out she came. A perfectly healthy baby Catherine.

Both my husband and I were excited that our hospital now offers a nursery where the babes can go at night. When our first daughter was born, the hospital did not offer this feature, and we were left with a screamer and got no sleep, going home exhausted and scared. This time, however, would be different.

The first night was great! The nurses brought her in a few times to eat, and then back to the nursery she went, and back to sleep I went. We woke up in the morning, ready for a new day of visitors and baby bonding.

The second night is where the tide turns, and God's faithfulness, grace, and mercy become evident.

Around 12:30 am on November 20th, 2009, the NICU nurse came in, with no baby. She began to explain that during a routine blood pressure check, Catherine's numbers were not matching like they should. Babies have their blood pressure checked on their arms and legs, and the two pressures should be close. Catherine's leg pressures were much lower than her arms, which could indicate a possible heart condition that would require surgery. The nurse explained that although Catherine had been monitored for a heart condition in utero, this condition would not have been caught because this particular valve, that pumps blood from the upper half of the body to the lower half does not close until after birth. If this valve does not close after birth, however, no blood is being pumped to her lower extremities, and can be fatal. A call had already been placed with the Pediatric Cardiologist who would run tests in the morning. Until then, Catherine would remain in the NICU (neo-natal intensive care unit) where she had been moved, for constant monitoring.

My heart stopped. I listened to every word and shook my head, confirming that I heard what the nurse was saying. It was surreal. My husband woke up after she had been talking for awhile, and asked some questions. Both of us were stunned. The nurse told us to come to the NICU in a few minutes to feed our baby.

As soon as she left, I began crying. My husband prayed, as he was struggling to be strong for me. We called our families and some friends that we knew would pray. All we wanted was this little girl to be covered in prayer.

We pulled ourselves together and walked down to the NICU. Walking into that nursery was like having an out of body experience. This is what happens to other people, but not to us. We had a healthy baby. The nurses welcomed us with those "I'm so sorry" smiles and showed us where Catherine was. I gasped, looking at my tiny 6 pound baby hooked up to many monitors. She had wires all over her body, and blood pressure cuffs on her arm and leg. The nurse explained that those were the numbers they would be monitoring every hour.

She pushed the button for the blood pressure cuffs, and my husband and I held our breaths. The arm and leg pressures were nearly the same. The nurse said that is what the numbers should look like, but had not, which is why we were all where we were. My husband asked if this was common. When the nurse paused, we both knew that it was not. She said that this is pretty rare.

As I was nursing my baby girl, I prayed. The Lord placed these lyrics in my heart:

He is, He was, He always will be. Even when it feels like there is no one holding me. Be still, my soul. He is.

I didn't know the rest of the song, but I just kept singing these words over and over.

Leaving my baby in the NICU was really hard to do, but we headed back to our room. My husband fell asleep, but I just lay there, with those words still in my head. I felt God's presence and peace, but I couldn't sleep. I got up to find out how the rest of the song went.

He Is
by Mark Schultz

Father, let the world just fade away
Let me feel your presence in this place
Lord, I’ve never been so weary
How I need to know you’re near me
Father, let the world just fade away

Till I’m on my knees
Till my heart can sing

He is
He was
He always will be

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
He is

Father, let your Holy Spirit sing
Let it calm the storm inside of me
As I stand amazed
Lift my hands and say

He is
He was
He always will be

He lives
He loves
He’s always with me

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
Through every fear
And every doubt
And every tear I shed
Down every road
I’m not alone
No matter where I am

He is
He was
And He always will be

He lives
He loves
He’s always with me
Even when it feels like there is no one holding me
Be still, my soul
Be still, and know
Be still, my soul
He is

I just sat there, taking in every word and bawling. I was crying for my new baby and I was crying in awe of how great my God is (and was). I read the words over and over, spilling tears on the computer, and praising God. My mind wandered to a Beth Moore Bible Study I was doing. In the Daniel study she talks about 3 Scenarios. The first one is the easiest. You are faced with a difficult situation and God saves you from any harm before stepping in the fire. The second one, you have to step in the fire, but He saves you. The third scenario means that you step in the fire, and He saves you, but you are saved through death.

I prayed that we wouldn't suffer through the third scenario. I could handle surgery and recovery, but I did not want to face death. I just got her. How could I let her go already?

At some point I got in bed, but never really slept.

When the phone rang I knew it was the NICU nurse. It was time to feed the baby. On our way down the hall, both my husband and I were struck by the peace that was overwhelming us.

We weren't too surprised when the nurse shared that all of the blood pressure checks had come back with normal numbers that were matching. Praise God!

I nursed her and walked away from her again, back to our room. I slept.

The next thing I remember is a nurse walking in, telling me that someone was hungry. I didn't have my glasses on, but I could see a bassinet being wheeled in. My heart broke. "You're in the wrong room. My baby's sick and is in the NICU."

But the nurse said, "No. This is Catherine. Her results are too perfect to have anything wrong with her. We've canceled the cardiologist, the EKG, and the echocardiogram. This little girl is going home with you today."

Who knows that medical professionals never use the words TOO PERFECT unless God has shown up? AMEN!!!

The tears came - again! But this time I was crying tears of happiness, joy, and thanks. I praised God and thanked Him for healing Catherine's heart. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving that hospital without a baby, and now I wouldn't have to.

It had been a long night, and I couldn't put this little miracle down. My husband's mother came early that morning, and some of my wonderful friends came as well. We all marveled at God's miracle! We all reveled in the peace He had provided all of us with. And we all cried. We were overwhelmed by God's mercy.

Our pediatrician wanted us to go to Children's Hospital to make sure everything was fine. We knew it would be, but for peace of mind, we went. They did an EKG and an echocardiogram. When we met with the cardiologist, she looked at us and said, "Why are you here? Your baby is completely healthy." We knew this already.

We give all of the praise and glory to our Savior. He is so good and so faithful. I thank God everyday for my daughters, and continue to praise Him for this miracle. She is a daily reminder that our God hears our prayers.