Thursday, October 2, 2014

Eric and Alison: When the Wait Drags On

Denise:

After a fabulous 30th-anniversary celebration last week with the love of my life in Maine, this week I'm in Massachusetts with our second daughter. Alison and her husband, Eric, are expecting their first child ~ a boy. The little guy has thus far been reluctant to make his entrance in the world. He was due five days ago on September 27th.

This morning I went with Alison to her weekly doctor appointment. This week's visit started with an ultra sound since Alison is over due. The goal was to check the baby's health and make sure that he is still surrounded by enough amniotic fluid. The little guy passed the various tests with flying colors. Alison and I were treated to so many evidences of the God's amazing handiwork. We got to see a clear picture of the valves opening and closing between the four chambers of Little Man's heart. We were treated to a sharp picture of his beautiful spine. His kidneys were cute and his profile was perfect. Alison and I were overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for the wonder of His work.

After the sonogram was finished, Alison saw her doctor who informed our very pregnant daughter that her body still isn't ready to give birth. Alison left the appointment discouraged that it looks more and more like a medical induction might be the path to her first child's birth. She called Eric who knew just what his wife needed to endure the wait for their son's birth.


We met Eric for lunch at a Five Guys near Eric's work for hamburgers and fries. Eric provided just what Alison needed...


...a listening ear...


...and a bit of reassurance that he stills loves his wife.


After 30 minutes with her husband, Alison's discouragement was replaced by steadfast determination, and she was ready to face a few more days of pregnancy...


...and Eric was ready to return to work.


On Sunday, Eric and Alison will celebrate their first anniversary. Today I got to witness a husband's devotion to his wife bring hope to her heart. As I watched Eric impart his strength to his wife, I couldn't help but think of this verse, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25 ESV). Eric loved sacrificially today and was the very picture of Jesus loving His bride.

I thank God for Eric and Alison's one-year-old marriage. I thank the Lord that our daughter is in such good hands as Eric cares for her. And I thank the Lord that one way or another Alison's physical soreness will soon be replaced by the emotional and spiritual joy upon becoming a mother.

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