Joy A. Mead

It was a pleasant, sunny day and the laughter of little girls was in the air. I was hosting a play date at our house for my nearly three-year-old daughter. 

After settling the girls with some pretzels and apple slices, I sat down at our patio table with the mum of my daughter’s friend. I was thirty-nine weeks pregnant and feeling ready to pop. My parents were due to arrive from San Francisco in three more days and we were all set to have them watch our daughter Anna whenever I would go into labour. In my head, everything was roughly mapped out and I felt like I had another five days or so based on my due date. 

As the play date continued, I started to feel sharp twinges of pain and then it would stop. “Surely, it was just some pre-labour/false alarm contractions as my body was preparing to birth our second baby in the next days?” I thought to myself. 

The play date ended before lunchtime and as we said goodbye to our friends, I wondered more and more if my plans for birthing our second child were being brought forward—I could now recognise a pattern of steady contractions. Just managing to prepare lunch for Anna, I collapsed onto my giant exercise ball and phoned my husband to get home from work as soon as possible. 

As I waited for Charlie’s arrival, I nibbled on rich tea biscuits as it was the only thing plain enough I felt like my stomach could handle with the contractions growing quicker by the minute and stronger by the hour. Anna could tell I wasn’t myself because I let her help herself to the biscuits when I would normally have set a limit! 

By the time Charlie arrived home, my contractions were coming every couple of minutes—it was definitely time to drive to the hospital! We dropped Anna off to her auntie and uncle’s house en route to our local hospital. I was dilating steadily as our baby was preparing to come, ready or not. 

I recall lying on my side as the birthing pool was being filled up and I told my husband, “I’m not ready to have our baby right now…maybe we can come back another day?” 

Both the midwife and Charlie glanced at me with unanimous looks which said, “Joy, you don’t have a choice at this point! Baby is coming!” 

Within the hour, we were joyfully surprised with a baby boy named Luke! God had decided that this was his time to make an entrance. Here was this precious baby in my arms who had come five days before expected and was instantly such a blessing to our family. 

***

Eight, wonderful years have rolled on by and we now have a charming, witty, curious, and enthusiastic boy who has kept us on our toes ever since his arrival! He swarms around his daddy whenever any house project is taking place and joins in with great laughter in the games he and his sister create together. He likes to get tasks done in “Luke” time and has a relaxed attitude. Our boy isn’t afraid to just be himself and figure out who he is meant to be.

I have no doubt that God has some special plans for our dear boy over the next years. As his mummy, I’m so pleased to have a front row seat as I watch him grow and continually cheer him on his life’s path. My prayer for him as he grows another year older is that he would tangibly know God’s presence in his daily life and understand more of the purposes God has placed on his heart. It is an honour and privilege to be his mother and I will continue to cherish these days, months, and years I have with raising such a wonderful son. 

A Birthday Prayer:

Dear God,

Thank you for each new birthday—a reminder of the blessings which come in growing and learning. Please bless, protect, and help my child to flourish. May he know your Spirit moving in his soul, your presence all around him on life’s journey, your unconditional love surrounding him, and your wisdom guiding his path into the good plans that you have planned for him. 

 In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.