• faith
  • life
  • motherhood
  • books
  • family
  • home
  • food
  • travel
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • blog
  • about
  • Beautycounter
  • podcast
  • design
chelsea eubank

chelsea eubank

stories + graces of everyday life with God

  • about
  • podcast
  • Design
  • Shop
  • clean beauty
  • contact

the day our daughter arrived and all the things I said to God

09/22/2019 · In: family

We are 6 weeks into her newborn life so obviously these time stamps are ballparks. Also, my thoughts and prayers were a lot more repetitive, animated and desperate in the presence of the Lord (which is how He and I roll, me being honest and Him being wonderful).

11:30am – I realized the occasional back pain I was feeling might be real contractions. Went about my business.

12:00pm – Called John and asked him to hurry home because I was definitely having real contractions.

12:30pm – Waiting for John, timing said contractions. 2:30 minutes apart. Walking around the house grabbing all the things I thought we might need, stopping every few minutes to wait out the contraction.

Me to God: Okay, this is intense. I’m freaking out a little. How long will it be like this? Help, Lord. Please provide what I need.

God to me: You aren’t alone. Trust me. Trust my care and love for you.

1:00pm – En route to University Hospital. John encouraging me. Me counting trees, road signs, my breaths, whatever I could do to occupy my mind.

Me to God: This is insane. I don’t think I can do this.

God to me: I’m with you, you have nothing to be afraid of. Do this with me.

1:15pm – Walk into the hospital in spite of the quick and painful contractions. Many people were staring. (My mindset was: the faster I get inside the faster we can get this show on the road. Ha!) Also, I was real saucy with John at this point, and those of you who know me know I am usually a pretty gracious + chill person. No no. I apologized after basically throwing my purse at him when the nurse asked for my ID and he responded with “You can’t hurt my feelings today.” Bless. Him.

1:30pm – Triage nurse tells me I’m EIGHT CENTIMETERS DILATED, and marveled that I walked myself into the hospital. She asked if I wanted an epidural (in the weeks prior, I had many conversations with friends and John and my doctor about the epidural.. I went in open to either possibility: with or without). When another contraction hit, I quickly and confidently said yes, I want it.

Me to God: 8 centimeters! I wonder if the epidural will even take! I don’t know how long I can sustain this pain. But I trust you.

God to me: You are not alone. I’ll help you. Nothing is impossible for me! Breathe with me.

2:00pm – Wheeled to the room to meet other nurses and the anesthesiologist who performs the epidural.

Me to God: Please let this epidural work. I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this. And I don’t know what is ahead but you do. You’ll take care of us.

2:30pm – John and I have about an hour together, with various family members in and out of the room. The epidural did work marvelously and “put a smile back on my face,” as John said later. I am super thankful it worked well because we had a chance to talk, pray together, relax and marvel at our current reality.

Me to God: Anything could happen. I can’t believe I’m about to have a baby! I have no idea what I’m doing.

God to me: I am with you. Focus on me. I’m caring for you and for her. I love you. Rest with me.

3:30pm – Nurse comes in to help me learn and practice laboring and delivery with the epidural. John and I thought the contractions had stopped because I wasn’t feeling them. We thought it had slowed my labor down. Far from it. Our wonderful nurse reassured us they were in fact still happening, and close together! She checked, taught me things that would be helpful and kept an eye on the screens monitoring me and baby.

3:50pm – Doc comes in.

4:08pm – Anna is born! (Obviously many other details could go here but are unnecessary for a public space. If you’re curious and we’re friends, feel free to ask.)

Me to God: Wow, we did it. You did it. She’s beautiful. I can’t believe it. Wow, I’m a mom. She’s healthy and whole and crying and wow. So much love! Is this how you feel about us?

God to me, smiling (in my imagination): Rest in my love. It’s bigger than even this. I’m here.

As always, His presence was the difference maker. It was a gift of a day, and I’ll look back in gratitude and wonder for His watchful, merciful, kind care of us.

By: Chelsea Eubank · In: family · Tagged: Kids

you’ll also love

Joy Triggers
sunny with a high of 68 in february
grateful list #7

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

15 observations from a first-time parent

Primary Sidebar

Search

I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend passionate about cultivating a rich life with God.

This blog is equal parts family stories, faith reflections and creative delight.

I read a lot. I eat peanut butter every day. I like shopping secondhand. I love hosting people in our home.

Writing helps me pay attention, and paying attention keeps me grateful.

Glad you're here!

Series on the Blog

  • Reading and Listening
  • Current Read
  • Joy Triggers
  • Instagram Archives
  • Clothe Yourself With
  • Perspectives
  • Truth To Consider
  • grateful list
  • A Few Things

THE PODCAST

the email

archives

topics

abiding anna art & design beautycounter biblical truth birthdays body image books clothe yourself series crushing on current read faith family fear food goals God God's presence grace gratitude him holidays inspirational words Jesus joy triggers julia Kids learned life life with God love marriage me motherhood music photography prayer reading and listening recipes reflection simplicity social media spiritual growth travel wisdom

Footer

Listening

  • BEMA
  • Pray the Word
  • Church of the City
  • Elisabeth Elliot
  • Raising Boys and Girls

Reading

  • Jasmine Holmes
  • Henri Nouwen
  • Justin Earley
  • Helen Smallbone
  • Darrell Johnson

engaging the Church & kindling love for God one testimony at a time

Listen in as people just like you share about their life with God.

Check out my podcast!

Copyright © 2023 · Theme by 17th Avenue