Thank you so much for coming today! I am so happy to have you here today, and I'm sure that Heather is too. Speaking of Heather, I would like to introduce you to Heather (Fath) Messick . Heather and I have known each other for many years (I won't count them....it makes me feel old!) since meeting in choir at Mobile College, which is now University of Mobile. As long as I've known her, Heather's heart has been one for praising the Lord Jesus Christ. Little did we know all those years ago as college students that one day, Heather's heart for true praise would be put to the test. Well, dear readers, as you are about to see, Heather has given God all the glory....but I'll let her tell you the story. So, with that, please grab your coffee (and probably some kleenex) and sit down and join us for Heather's guest post today at Bee My Guest. And don't forget to leave an encouraging comment for Heather! All of those commenting will be entered into a random drawing to receive a copy of Heather's CD, "Wonder" and ALSO a copy of our church's newest CD, "God Hears"! I will announce the winner tomorrow, so make sure and come back to check! Get ready to be blessed!
The Blessing of the Blow
Have you ever felt that you were dealt a serious blow in life? Something you didn't think you could recover from? That is exactly what I was facing on Monday, September 17th, 2007. At the eleventh week of my pregnancy, I had visited my OBGYN for the first ultrasound of my third baby. I was so excited to see the first pictures of this new little creation that God had given Mark and me! After my ultrasound, my doctor informed me that something was wrong with my baby. She listed off several genetic disorders that my baby could have, Down syndrome being among them. Never in a million years did I expect to hear this sort of news. This was a devastating blow and I didn’t know how I would deal with it.
Over the course of my pregnancy, I had many ultrasounds by an obstetric specialist. More and more I heard the words Down syndrome. And, if that wasn’t enough, Mark and I were told that our baby girl had several major heart defects that would require open-heart surgery shortly after she was born. I had such difficulty processing all of the information that was being thrown at me. I could only cling to one thing during such a difficult time in my life. I clung to the Savior of my heart, the Lord Jesus Christ.
A passage that came to have new meaning for me was Psalm 139:13-17. It says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious are your thoughts toward me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” While I was being told by so many doctors that my baby was not forming “correctly,” I had to believe that God had a purpose for her. I trusted in my heart that God knew her long before I did and that He made no mistake when He formed her in my womb.
Mark and I felt that God led us to a wonderful name for our little girl. We gave her the name Victoria Jayne which means “victorious victory.” We prayed “victory” for Victoria Jayne during my entire pregnancy.
When Victoria Jayne was born on March 10, 2008, she was, indeed, born with Down syndrome and several major heart defects. Though it was so emotionally difficult to accept that our little girl was “different,” we still loved her and wanted to be the best parents we could be to her.
It is hard to explain the grieving process you go through when you have a child with special needs. You realize dreams that you had for your child may not come to pass. You realize that many things in your life have suddenly changed and there is no going back to what use to be “normal.” You have a new “norm” to adjust to and it just takes time to get there mentally and emotionally.
At 7 weeks of age, Victoria required emergency surgery at University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham, AL. We were told by the heart surgeon that Victoria's heart repair was very difficult, however, God blessed and she came through the delicate procedure successfully.
Through the course of Victoria’s little life, Mark and I have realized one important thing. We “get” to experience life in a way that most people don’t. We will be blessed to live our life with a little girl who will, most likely, love unconditionally in a way that we struggle to. We will be able to see life through a little different slant than most. You see, what we originally thought to be a serious blow in our lives has turned out to be a huge blessing. When we questioned God’s hand and plan, He knew that what He was giving us was a true treasure. We never imagined that one day we would be the parents of a special-needs child, but we are thankful that God gave us our own little piece of Heaven by sending us an angel by the name of Victoria Jayne.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
PS - Shortly after Victoria was born, I penned a song about her that, I believe, was God-inspired. The song is called “She Is God’s Child.” A great friend, Dave Simpson, compiled some photos into a moving video for me that I use when I have speaking engagements. This video has already touched many hearts and I pray it warms yours a little today as you watch it! To begin the video, please click on "She Is God's Child".
SHE IS GOD'S CHILD
© 2008 Heather Messick
VERSE 1
Her little face is not the same
As yours and mine they say
But God took the time to fashion her
In such a special way
She may not learn just like I do
Or play the way I play
But she was made especially
For me to know one day
CHANNEL
That God is good
And He is kind
She’s always there
Ever on His mind
CHORUS
She is God's child
Crafted and made by Him
She is God's child
Her life magnifies Him
She is God's child
Let our praise begin
And thank Him
For she is God's child
VERSE 2
Her life came no surprise to Him
He knew that she'd be here
This span of time was made for her
So there should be no fear
Whatever struggles come her way
The Lord will see her through
He'll hold her hand and guide her steps
He’s faithful and He’s true
CHANNEL
'Cause He is good
And He is kind
She’s always there
Ever on His mind
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Who’s to say her little life
Wasn’t meant to be this way?
To show the world the Savior’s hand
His miracles displayed
CHORUS 2X
Bee My Guest article courtesy of Heather Messick