We have grown so accustomed to the miracle of life itself that we take it for granted. We use time to explain the marvels of nature, even each other. We use statistics and odds, to gauge almost everything, except to figure out the necessary odds for DNA.
We confuse Santa, masquerading as an angel of light, with the real God. We play with the para-normal, para-psychology, crystals, astrology, ghosts, vampire lovers, yada, yada, yada and in the same breath we say there is no God. It takes a lot to get our attention.
In this morning's Oregonian on page two is more than a feel good story about a husband who almost lost his wife and a father who almost lost his newborn son. During labor his wife's heart stopped. She did not respond to the doctor's efforts to revive her heart beat. After several minutes the medical team turned to trying to save the baby by performing a Caesarean procedure. The baby's body was limp with only a faint heart beat. The doctors feared the worst and the husband and father, what about him? Was he in shock, numb with pain and helplessness? I'm sure we will all soon know.
Then the mother, who had been without a heart beat for four or five minutes suddenly revived. I say suddenly because it was so unexpected. Now mother and baby and certainly a drained father are doing well and the media is all over the story.
Tonight, NBC News, who last night aired the memorial on the celebrities who passed away in 2009, will probably talk about this too. I very much appreciate the memorial of death yesterday, followed by the joy of life today.
We cannot control the weather, yet, and though we use time to explain the unexplainable, its essence eludes us still. Right now, today, is a time to smile and laugh. Last night, watching the special on those who've passed away was a time to mourn and be sad. Thinking of this new life and restored life I can only rejoice.
Can any of us imagine the extremes of emotional intensity that must have rocked the husband and father? How will this affect the rest of his life?
Soon enough there will be a myriad of explanations attempting to play down any remote possibility of divine intervention. I am getting better at seeing God at work in the everyday activities of life, but still, I take special pleasure when God baffles those who think they have the world in a tight little box.
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