What Being Pregnant Has Taught Me About God and Faith

Well, it has been a while since I posted anything. My last visit to the gynaecologist was on the 11th of February and the doctor’s report was great! The baby had grown to 23 mm, up from 8.7 mm two weeks before. The estimated due date has been pushed back by 2 days to 17 September, 2008. The arm and leg buds have started showing. I couldn’t figure out the heartbeat of the baby on the ultrasound scan but the gynae was ever so patient in explaining to me what the hazy shapes meant. In fact, the gynae seemed really happy that my baby was doing so well. I found her super chatty that day. I also found it so funny that she said that “you see, sometimes doctors really can’t do much to help a baby survive. What is important is that the genetic make-up of the baby is correct.” I was like “Huh? How come a doctor would say something like this?”

But of course, what she says is so true. Medical professions and advancements can do a lot to help improve the physiological state and well-being of the human race. However, they cannot control, ascertain nor guarantee the outcome of medical treatment nor the lifespan of individual. Only God can.

During the course of the last 5 weeks or so, since I discovered that I am with child, I have learnt so much more about the reality of life and its mystery. No matter how intelligent or how advanced technology gets, we cannot control life nor death. And as for health? Sure, we can take all the supplements or medications but they are still no gurantee for complete recovery or preservation of health. Being on the hormone pills to help support a healthy pregnancy, I am so aware of that the health of my baby is not dictated by these small white pills. No matter how well I eat or how much I rest, there is still no way I can personally ensure the healthy development of my baby. All that I do helps to boost the chances of the healthy development, but still it is not a guarantee. I cannot but I am so thankful that I have a Creator, a Covenant Friend and a Father who can.

He who spoke the universe into being. He who commands dry bones to live. He who raises the dead. He can.

And what is even more amazing is He has already made a personal promise to ensure that we will have life, and life abundantly, if we put our trust in Him. I had this discussion with a friend about what faith is. For me, faith is choosing to believe God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. Something I have also been learning about faith is that it speaks. Faith calls things that are not, as though they were (Romans 4:17). How powerful is that – to call things that have not come to pass as though they have. Faith is also believing against all hope, all natural circumstances. Why is it that without faith, it is impossible to please God, and not righteousness or holiness? Because I believe that faith makes one realise just how powerless we really are and only God is the omnipotent. Faith gives God the rightful glory and honour He is due.

However powerless we really are in ourselves, I am truly amazed to find that God has empowered us to live an overcoming life through Jesus and through the Holy Spirit whom He has placed in us. There is so much more to my God that I have known, and it is through this miracle of a baby that I am learning so much more about what it means to be entirely dependent on Him and Him alone.

That is perhaps why in John, Jesus says that He is the vine and we are the brances. If we abide in Him, then we will bear fruit. Just like a branch separated from the mother plant cannot have life and will soon dry up and die, I have no hope of bearing this baby fruit on my own.

Bless You, Our Little Marvel

A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.

Never will a time come when the most marvellous recent invention

is as marvellous as a newborn baby.

Carl Sandburg (1878 – 1967)

To our dearest baby,

Though we cannot see you nor hold you just yet,

we know you are beautiful and wonderful.

You are growing more and more incredible

with every passing day.

As God’s hands ever so delicately shape you,

we know you are just simply perfect –

in form, stature and spirit.

God spoke His Word and you were formed.

His Word will continue to give strength

to your tender flesh,

and breathe health into your bones.

Little one, though you are still tiny,

you already have a big destiny.

Something God has determined that

no one else but you are able to fulfil.

Even now as you are living in my womb,

your destiny is already unfolding,

and your wisdom in the ways of God growing.

For it is His very life that flows in you.

Your daddy and I cannot wait to hold you,

and help you live the life God has in store for.

But as we wait, we are praying for you

Each and every day.

So until we have you in our arms,

we want you to know that you are already in our hearts.

We love you, precious little one.

We cannot wait to welcome you into our home.

With lots of love,

Your mummy