Just minutes (maybe even seconds) after Jamie and I heard Jayce’s first cries, one of my greatest fears came true. My placenta had grown through my uterus. My doctor quickly informed me that it must go. How long will it take? I wanted to know. “About 30 or 45 minutes,” he said. Almost instantly I looked at the anesthesiologist and asked to be put to sleep. I knew I couldn’t be awake and endure the surgery. And, I felt like I was going to pass out. Honestly I was just plain scared. Would I be okay? Was I going to bleed to death? Only Jesus held that answer.

The last thing I remember before getting my sleepy medicine was someone asking Jamie to leave. He was scared, too. I saw it in his eyes when he first entered the operating room. As he put his head next to mine, a tear trickled down his face. Yes, he was scared, too. He was scared for Jayce. He was scared for me. He had heard all the warnings just a few days before. Would he become a single dad? Oh how we both were trying to rest in Jesus.

After the medicine was given, I was pretty much out of it! Thank you Lord! However, I do recall a few things that happened during or maybe it was after I was waking up from surgery. One thing I remember is thanking everyone in the operating room for taking such good care of me. I also remember telling them that my grandma had died. But, most importantly, Jesus’s name flowed from my lips. Do you know Jesus? I wanted to know if the team members in that operating room knew Jesus. I had a boldness that I have never had before. Maybe it was the medicine or maybe His presence was so strong that I had to share His greatness with those precious ones around me. One team member said yes. He said that he knew Jesus. I have no idea who he was. All I know is he was near my face. Was he another doctor, a nurse, an anesthesiologist? I really don’t know. But, I pray he was serious. Eternity is forever.

Getting to share Christ when I was walking through the valley of the shadow of death is something I will never forget. Maybe all of those around me didn’t take me serious, but His name is powerful. I might not ever know this side of Heaven what all was happening in that sterile operating room. But, I am just glad I knew who was taking care of me. And, I hope all of those sweet souls that Christ used to save my life could see who was guiding their hands, too. I pray that if they don’t already know Him then they will come to Him! I thank God for each of them. Jesus – there is just something about that name.

Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden’s lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby
Don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall…so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory’s side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!
By: Chris Rice

( I don’t know much about this songwriter, but I have been having a few weary days here lately. And all I can think about is going to Jesus and resting in Him. The words to this song remind me that Jesus is all I need.)

If you want to read the first part of Jayce’s birth story, click on Blessed be the Name of the Lord.