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TITLE: Shekinah Grace | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dot Hannah
08/04/14
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Shekinah Grace
08/03/2014
A crucial decision had to be made. Do we go right or left, Lord? A watershed event was taking place. We would all have to believe where we could not prove.

It was a splendid, sweet summer day, blue skies powdered with puffy, white clouds, and an uncommon excitement was in the air. The sun was gleaming, and the faces of my three bright eyed grandsons crinkled with happiness. Today, they were going to find out the sex of their unborn sibling. Oh, how we all longed for a girl. The enthusiastic boys chattered and giggled noisily as the family made their journey through the busy streets to the hospital for Mom’s ultrasound.

It was one of those hectic days for me, when I didn’t have time to anticipate. Uneasiness crossed my mind several times during the day because I heard nothing. However, I knew as soon as there was news the call would come. When it did, I was completely unprepared for the devastating news. One single moment can change your life.

“Mom,” Candace stammered. “It’s a girl.” Then there was an awkward silence. “They told me her brain was not developed, that part of it was missing.” Suddenly, my world was dark and gray. Incredulous realization flooded my aching mind. I longed for the right words to warm my daughter’s trembling heart, but I could barely breathe as panic closed my throat. When I hung up the phone, hot tears flooded my cheeks like tiny rivers, my heart broken and raw.

Days later we learned our beloved granddaughter had spina bifida. Her brain was developing, but her spinal cord was protruding through an opening in the spine. Fetal surgery on the baby inside the womb was urgently recommended. I was gravely apprehensive because of the danger to both Mom and daughter. The decision would have to be carefully weighed.

What was God’s opinion? He came onto the scene and began to minister to Candace. After their intimate conversation, there was no doubt in her mind as to what to do. God does not break the instruments He intends to use. He declared, “This baby will be a glory to My Name.” We face situations in this life that crush our spirits in order for us to come to know a heavenly Father who is loving and powerful. Terrible odds and horrendous circumstances do not limit Him. I immediately heard fear in Candace’s voice turn into calm confidence and bravery. Her lightheartedness returned because of His sweet promises.

An expert team of fetal surgeons, neurosurgeons, anesthesiologists, fetal cardiologists and neonatologists performed the surgery on a tiny, female fetus. Candace was given enough anesthetic for a liver transplant. She was told her baby would not wake up and move for two days. She felt her daughter moving the very night after the surgery. We knew then she was one tough, little cookie. Everything went so much better than predicted, and all were amazed. Waves and waves of people prayed for this child, and a supernatural miracle occurred before our eyes. Yes, there will be trying days ahead, but we will continue to pray because prayer is the divine medicine for need. When you lift it up, giants fall back. When a crisis arrives, don’t you dare give up.

Shekinah Grace, her God given name, is twenty months old now and enclosed in a cloud of happiness. She is loved and a joy to everyone, especially her three older brothers who adore her. Her charm has captivated our affection. She is beautiful, active, intelligent and outgoing but cannot walk. She does crawl, and if it is God’s will, perhaps one day she will walk. Either way, God will use her as a glory to His Name. She is a living memorial to His faithfulness, just like the twelve stones placed in the Jordan reminding the Israelites of His works. Every time we look at her we see His direct intervention. She is the shekinah glory of God.

“No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave?” (NIV, Psalms 6:5)

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