Erica and Mike’s maternity session was extra special, for one, they are long time friends of ours, but two, during their session we had the opportunity to hear about their miracle, Caleb Elijah. 

People that have experienced the ups and downs of pregnancy know the nerves that come every time you walk in for a routine check up. On April 5th Erica and Mike got the news every expecting parent fears. Their son, Caleb Elijah, had signs of a brain defect, leading the doctors to believe he would not make it to term. Naturally, Erica and Mike left the appointment heartbroken. 

In the weeks to follow they felt the Lord tugging on their heart, asking them to “Rise up and have a bold faith.” The Lord challenged them to give him their hopes for their son and trust in his plan. 

To their amazement as Caleb Elijah grew his brain started to heal. With every appointment that followed Caleb grew stronger and stronger, his health was unexplainable. 

Erica and Mike now look at April 5th as “The day our miracle began.” Through Christ’s redemption he turned what was a day of mourning to a beautiful reminder of his goodness.

This story of the Lord’s faithfulness is such a beautiful image of the gospel. Erica and Mike loved Caleb, who was/is their only son. Even before he was out of the womb they cherished him and cared deeply for him. I think about that love and how God loved his son, Jesus, even more dearly and yet he still chose to give up what was so precious to him so that we could know him intimately. It’s overwhelming to think of such an infinite and special love. 

If God loves us enough to lay down the life of his only son, you’d think it would be easy to trust him with our life’s. Oh how I wish that was the case. I know when I encounter hard times I often find myself questioning the Lord’s goodness, wishing for comfort more than Christ’s redemption. I’m grateful for stories like Erica and Mike’s that remind me of my loving father who died in my place so that I can now walk in the freedom that comes when I choose to trust him over my own understanding.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6