hanging low/hanging on

When Labor and Delivery called, they gave me the quick facts.  A little baby had just been born with Trisomy 13.  Incompatible with life.  His life expectancy ranged from minutes to days.  Would I come and be with the family?


Their room was dimly lit, but filled with family.  Mom in the bed, dad next to her.  All four grandparents, sister, two aunts, cousins, friends.  They lined the edges of the room, encircling mom. 


She was holding a tiny, darling boy.  He didn't have any of the extreme physical markers that come with Trisomy 13.  He did have black curly hair, and pink gums that showed every few minutes when he let out a little mew like noise.  The baseball themed premie outfit that had been bought that morning engulfed on him.  His name was James Thomas, named after his mom's brother, who had died at this same hospital 5 months before.  James was wrapped in the softest blue blanket and handed to me, for a little crooning before I dedicated him and baptized him. 


All during the day I stopped in, met new family members, got updates on dropping pulse ox levels, and gave hugs.  Then at 9:00 pm I got the death call.  I hurried back to the room.  As I walked in James' maternal grandmother was gathering everyone into a standing circle holding hands.  In a clear but emotional voice she began to pray this beautiful prayer through a chorus of amens and "that's right's."


(for best rendering, read this prayer out loud) 
"Oh Jesus.  Oh dear Heavenly Father.  Oh Spirit.  We are standing before you today.  Our heads are hanging so low.  So low, Jesus.  Why couldn't we have kept precious little James?  Why didn't you just heal him today Father? Oh Jesus.  But though we are broken, we are also filled with gratitude.  Thank you God for the 12 hours we had with this precious little man.  Thank you for our family gathered here today.  Thank you for all the love in this room.  Thank you Jesus.  We don't understand what happened here, but we know you are good.  Oh, we know you are so good, Jesus.  Forgive us for our sins.  Make us in Your image. And we will testify of your goodness.  Hold us tight Father.  Hold us in your strong arms.  Give us peace.  Thank you Jesus.  Bless us today Father."


No dry eyes.  Some good questions.  A whole lot of beautiful, honest faith.  I didn't want to leave that patch of holy ground.


Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."  Matthew 15:28