Coming To Life
Here’s the message I put together for January 15th. I titled it “Coming To Life” and had one of our worship leaders put together an old song by a Christian band, The Normals, called “Coming To Life.” You can catch the lyrics here.
Here’s an excerpt from a portion where I talk about Caden:
Having a baby is a very surreal (dream-like) experience. I think anytime you experience the intersection of human life with the supernatural, it has a profound effect on you. It’s something you will always remember. You all of a sudden sense things and see things and know things that you would have never been able to pick up on before. It’s almost as if you begin to use a different set of gauges. You experience a world outside of sight, smell, sound, taste and touch. You become aware that you have other senses that no one ever told you about.
Probably the most surreal moment, was the point where they pulled Caden out. Naturally, I was trying my hardest not to…. pass out. The anthestiologist looked at me and asked if I was okay. I said, “I don’t think so” as I reached behind me to find a stool. He said, “Son, sit down and put your head between your knees!” I remember it was like someone took my head and set it on a marry-go-round. I was fighting to keep my eyes from going dark.
Then… the first cry. I looked over and saw my new son for the first time. It was life. My head immediately quit spinning and my eyes cleared up. As if my natural senses took a back seat to what was going on.
I remember my first thought…. “I can’t believe he was in her.” Not in a what-else-did-you-think-that-big-thing-in-her-stomach-was way, but being very overwhelmed with the thought that God breathed life into him. That before I had a natural glimpse of my son, God already knew him and called him and named him and put within him the potential for life.
I was suddenly aware that a new story had begun, and I was just now becoming aware of it.
January 30th, 2006 at 9:22 am
I normally don’t post anything, but let me say that you are more wonderful as a father than I ever imagined possible. I love that you love him as much as you do.
January 30th, 2006 at 4:02 pm
Josh, trust me brother, I know the experience you’re talking about all too well. The entry of both of my children into the world (but more so life with them after their birth) has set my world spinning . . in the right direction. What a sacred moment. What a heavenly gift. What a humbling grace . . children and the insight that comes with them! Blessings on you, Joanna and Caden! It was great to see you all again.
February 1st, 2006 at 7:38 am
It’s a moment when you realize that the world is so much bigger than you. That a new chapter is being written and you are a part of it. When so many emotions are racing through your head and you are trying to place them all in the correct categories. There are very few experiences that compare to it.