The Blessing

By Karin Louise Sveen
Copyright © 2002 Karin Louise Sveen Literary Works


Mommy held the tiny bundle in her arms, and stared at the sweet little face of her child. The doctors said Baby was deformed, but all Mommy saw was Daddy’s eyes, and Grandpa’s chin. Baby had Mommy’s hair color, and a sweet smell all his own. Mommy was sad that she couldn’t bring Baby home with her, but she would have traveled to the moon and back every day just to hold Baby and kiss his sweet head. Mommy was in love with her tiny boy, and she didn’t mind the tubes and monitor wires. Baby yawned as if to say “I don’t know what all the fuss is about. I’m okay!”

As Mommy and Baby rocked, Mommy hummed her favorite tune while Baby slept, so cozy and warm. His little shoulders shuddered as he struggled with his breathing, but Baby slept on, unaware that he was different from other babies. The monitors were quiet. The nurse closed the curtain so Mommy and Baby could be alone.

In the quiet hum of the NICU Mommy heard the voice of God speaking to her heart. “I gave you this special little one, to take your eyes off yourself, and focus them on Me. When you look into the eyes of your sweet Baby, I am looking into your face the same way. You need me more than this little one needs you, and I will always be here for you.” Mommy felt hot tears warm her cheeks and the beauty of the moment took her breath away. This was not a tragedy, but a classroom. God was not punishing her, but taking her on a field trip.



On Feb. 25th, 2000 my son, Jared was born with a rare birth defect known as Pierre Robin (pronounced Pierre ‘ROE-BAN’) Syndrome. The long and short of it was that he needed to have assistance to breath properly, and had to be fed with a feeding tube. When he was 3 months old, we could no longer avoid having a trach put in, and a permanent feeding tube was placed.

What should have been a devastating experience was this amazing ‘field trip’ God took our family on. I have never known more peace, and my life will never be the same because of the ‘blessing’ God gave us through my son. (Isn’t that interesting!)

When my son was a year old he had surgery to correct part of the problem that wasn’t already fixed by time, and now to look at him you would never know that he ever had any problems except for the trach scar. I love that scar because it is a reminder to me that God is so good and can make anything okay with time, and the power of the Holy Spirit to comfort us, give us peace, and show God to others through our lives during a crisis.