God is with us, and His Presence is life-sustaining.
We are all little image-bearers of Him, and the presence of people can be life-sustaining, also.
Early in BAS, we studied the word midwife, and its root English words, mid (“with”) and wif (“woman”). A midwife is the one who is with the woman, particularly at the time of her labor and delivery. Contrasted against the often cooler efficiency of western medicine (however excellent and good-hearted the care), the midwife is a mark of presence, patience. She waits through labor with the mother anxious to deliver. She comforts, encourages, assists (all the while monitoring and intervening when necessary). In natural, uncomplicated labor, everyone just has to wait. Progress will come, but not according to anyone’s schedule. But waiting together with someone (especially someone informed and adept) matters. So in India, we were, most of all, present while our cast-off women labored otherwise alone.
Waiting with them. Waiting for life to arrive.
Is there anything you are waiting for? Is it something agonizing? Is it something you don’t anticipate seeing the fruition of this-side-of-Heaven? What is your hope?
Are you waiting with someone in their labor? In their pain and unknown? What is your encouragement?
These are non-rhetorical questions. I haven’t been in the mode of interactive blogging, but I’d love to have some conversation of encouragement here.
The Lord is just in all His doings. The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. -Psalm 145:17-18
Can you trust Him to be doing something good? Can you call on Him in humility and receive His tender nearness? Can you lean heavy against Him as you wait for the delivery of life? The midwife if He is with you, too.