I sat in the waiting area praying for a safe delivery yesterday evening. All day, I had been on pins and needles anticipating the arrival of my new nephew, Jai Tyree. But two hours had already passed and my sweet baby sister, Alesha, was still pushing.
I was so concerned Daily Cup family.
As a mother of 4, I know how rigorous labor can be. With my first daughter, Kyla, I had to push for an hour. My oxygen levels were so low, I nearly passed out and the baby was in distress.
I didn’t want Alesha to run into any complications.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of the door to labor and delivery crack open. My mom emerged through the doorway with her signature smile.
“He’s here?” I perked up.
“No, we need you,” she said. “Come on, Dianna, hurry!”
Instantly, I dropped everything in my arms. My mom had informed the medical staff that I was a great labor coach and asked if I could be brought in. They said yes and next thing I knew, I was speed-walking to room #6 at the end of the hall.
When I stepped inside, I saw my exhausted sister lying there with tears streaming down her face. I felt so sorry for her. Alesha was worn out and doubting her ability to get that baby out of the birthing canal and into her arms.
Right away, I began stroking her head, talking to her and encouraging her. But the most important thing I did was share my strategy for effective pushing.
I knew we needed to get that baby out of there, stat.
“Come on, Alesha,” I told her as I prayed silently. “Use all that energy and bear down.” Her first few tries were pretty good, but once she got the hang of the method I showed her and understood what I was saying, those pushes were amazing!
All the fatigue left Alesha’s face. She appeared more relaxed in between contractions and energized when time came to push. My sis was in a zone. I noticed that sparkle in her eye that indicated everything had clicked for her and she was ready to get it done.
“Ready?” I looked her in her eyes.
“Uh huh,” she said with an intense look as she latched onto my words and my arm.
She pushed with all her strength and gave birth to a gorgeous 8lb, 3.9 oz. baby boy. We both cried when we laid eyes on baby Jai, God's perfect gift to Alesha and her proud husband Joe.
It was such a beautiful moment to witness. And it was particularly special for me to be able to use my birth experience to help her through her own.
The things we go through, even though they might be painful, difficult and exhausting at the time, are necessary. Without such experiences, we would never be equipped to be someone’s coach or symbolic "midwife,” helping them push their way through to their own destiny.
You see, we are called to use the struggles that made us stronger to be helpers and encouragers of others. That's why today, while basking in the afterglow of such a joyous occasion, I’m stirring 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup today, you will be inspired to take the wisdom you have gained through life’s heartaches and pour it into someone else’s life. You will recognize that the transference of wisdom results in the transformation of lives.
Your greatest pain births your greatest ministry, the ministry of help and encouragement
Now let’s pray.
God, I thank You for the realization that the pain and struggles I have overcome in life were not in vain. They were laying the foundation for my ministry of help to others. I pray that You will give me a helping heart and a willingness to lend a helping hand to those who can draw and benefit from all that You have brought me through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
