'tis so sweet to trust in Jesus...

I entitled this blog, "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus" for a few reasons. Let me start out by saying that this has always been one of my favorite hymns, perhaps my most favorite hymn. And if you're my friend on facebook, you might know that I have the words to this very hymn in the"info" section of my profile. The reason I love the words are innumerable, but mostly it's for the pure simplicity and honesty of them:

Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take him at his word.
Just to rest upon his promise
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him,
How I've proved him o'er and o'er.
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus.
Oh for grace to trust him more.

These are only the words of the first verse and chorus, but I encourage you to look up the entire hymn because all the words are equally meaningful.

I have known this old hymn for as long as I can remember, and I have loved it since then as well. My grandmother, Arilla Murley, is a wonderful pianist, even though she plays "by ear" and not "by note." I learned, too, to play by ear before I ever read a note of music, and I remember so many times sitting on a piano bench by Nanny, as we call her, listening as so many beloved melodies flowed out of her fingertips and across the black and white keys. I feel a special connection to my Nanny, as I was named after her. We share the middle name Marie, but it is not all we share. We both have an intense love of music, especially hymns. "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" is just one of those hymns.

And it is as this time in my life, when so many things have been unsure, that I remember and take comfort in the words of this song.

Let me explain: I went for a check-up at the doctor today. Don't worry, Anne-Kelly and I are both fine, but the doctors gave me a little reason to be upset. You see, it is our goal to have a natural, husband-coached childbirth. Brent and I have studied the Bradley method carefully in the last couple months, and we also attended some preparation classes. We are praying that I'll go into labor naturally and that we will be able to have a safe, natural, drug-free birth. We believe this to be best for our child. The reason I began to worry today is that my obstetrician said, after examining me, that things were not "progressing" at all. Granted, I am only 38 weeks, so it's not necessarily a bad thing that I wasn't effaced. But if you've had any experience with the obstetrical community of late, you'd know that doctors aren't too big on "waiting around" for babies to come. Inducing has become a trend (an often unnecessary trend, if you ask me.) They like for babies to come on their due dates, and if they don't, the doctors worry that going overdue increases the chance of something happening to mother and baby. So when the doctors look at me, they're especially antsy because they're already paranoid about my placenta aging early. So the doctor said today that if I do not go into labor before my due date, they will likely want to induce me right away. The problem with this is that we believe that if Anne-Kelly isn't ready to come, we shouldn't force her out. And even the doctor said that the likelihood of ending up with a c-section if we are induced is very high. Probably somewhere around fifty-fifty, and maybe even greater than that. This is pretty devastating news to me, as I have my heart set on doing things naturally.

So after coming home from the doctor and thinking things over, I picked up the phone and called our childbirth educator and my new friend, Mary, who always gives sound, wonderful advice. She encouraged me to stand up for what I know is best for my child, but more importantly, she reminded me that I need to trust the Lord and know that he has all of this situation in his most-capable hands. (Thank you, Mary. You are a blessing!!) When I got off the phone, the words of this hymn immediately popped into my head. I couldn't help but think, "Ok, Lord. I understand - this is just another opportunity to grow in our faith and trust in you." I mean, if you think about it, there is no reason to worry. God not only has the ability to orchestrate this whole story; He knows the ending! He knows every day in my sweet Anne-Kelly's life, including the day that he has ordained for her birth (see earlier post for thoughts on this).

So if you don't mind, please unite with us in praying that God would continue to guide us in this situation. Pray that we would be able to discern what is best for our baby, and that the Lord would keep her healthy and strong until the day God has handpicked for her birth. Also, pray that the Lord would be with the doctors who are caring for us, that they would be able to discern what's truly best for Anne-Kelly and myself.

Thanks for reading and praying for us. We are so excited for what's going to happen in the days to come, and we can't wait to share all of these happenings as they unfold. God is so good!!


"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)