A stethoscope and a cuff

The Lord in His faithfulness never misses an opportunity to prepare and equip us for what He is calling us to. A week prior to my departure for Nome, Alaska as I was going about my day, His voice interrupts my tasks as He gently instructs, “Bring your rebozo.” Instantly, I knew He was referring to my trip. A jolt of anticipation rushed through my bones…”Lord, will I have the privilege to attend a birth in Alaska? on the plane? in the airport?” My love for all things birth got me a bit excited about helping a new mother in need.

I immediately was taken back to Spring of 2019, when as I prepared for a similar trip but to South Africa and Zambia, when He placed a stethoscope in my hands and had me bring it along with my blood pressure cuff. I didn’t understand. This was not a medical mission trip I was headed on, but okay Lord. You know. I will obey.

10 hours into our flight to the incredible continent of Africa, a medical emergency arises and medical personnel are requested to report to the rear of the plane. Timidly, with the not so passive encouragement of my team(lol), I grabbed my assessment tools and moved to that back of the aircraft. As I approached the scene, an Australian gentleman is laid out on the floor, profusely sweating, somewhat disoriented, with a gash to his head and he is breathing rapidly.

I announced my credentials to the attendant as she proceeded with a report of his condition and medical history. Nervously, I began asking my new mate pertinent questions as my mind raced searching for a possible cause all the while incredibly aware of my inabilities, due to a lack of experience in any field outside of birthing babies along with an acute awareness that Father had sent me with my supplies for this exact moment for this person. Triage was no where being used in my day to day of rearing my children. My nursing skills were rusty to say the least and in this moment I was questioning my stated credentials all together.

Suddenly, I look up and I am no longer alone with this gent and the attendant, but another man of Indian descent and woman were approaching. Consecutively, they announce their credentials. In his beautiful Indian accent, he announces, “ I can help. I am a surgeon,” he calmly assures us, as the woman confidently announces her nursing credentials and experience. Relief ensues as he confirms my thoughts of the diagnosis and he proceeds with a treatment plan. Everything is under control.

I slipped away to the restroom where I began to confess to the Lord how I am not needed and could have stayed in my seat. Now that the situation was under control, I inform the Lord, “I am going back to my seat. They have this under control. I am not needed here anymore. They have the necessary skills.” From the throne room of Heaven, His voice penetrated the roaring of the plane’s engine, “But they won’t pray.”

My heart sunk. I unlocked the door and approached the scene where the man is still laying on the floor sweating and exhibiting the same symptoms, his legs propped up the sidewall of plane, and confusion is increasing. The physician requests oxygen for him as I drop to my knees placing my hands to the sides of his head and I began to pray out loud for healing. The mask is applied to his face as I plea with my Lord for complete healing over his body and to my surprise the gentleman takes the mask right back off and proclaims that he does not need it that he is better. What? Lord that quickly. He had complete cognitive clarity in an instant. He was well.

Of course. It was His plan all along. He knew what this gentleman needed before He even needed it and had made a way weeks ahead of time. The blood pressure cuff and stethoscope were simply the gate through which I would walk with Jesus revealing His great love for this gentleman and His power to heal and to restore and to provide the hope that the Lord was not finished with Him. He still had plan and a purpose for his life.

1 Samuel 17 :16 - 23 says,

16 "For forty days that Philistine would come out every morning and evening to present himself. 17 Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now, for your brothers, an ephah of this roasted grain and these ten loaves, and carry them quickly to the camp to your brothers. 18 Also take these ten slices of cheese to the captain of their thousand—and check out the welfare of your brothers and bring back some token from them. 19 They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.”

20 So David rose up early in the morning, left the flock with a keeper, took the provisions and went as Jesse had commanded him. When he reached the camp, the army was going out to the battle line shouting the war cry. 21 Israel and the Philistines drew up their battle lines, army against army. 22 Then David left his baggage in the care of the baggage keeper, and ran to the battle line and entered to check out his brothers’ welfare. 23 But as he was talking with them, behold the champion, the Philistine from Gath named Goliath, was coming up from the ranks of the Philistines, and he spoke these same words; and David heard them."

In 1 Samuel 17, we see David called out from his daily chores and sent out to check on the welfare of his brothers. We know that it was with a sling and a stone that he conquered the giant, but it wasn’t even his mastery of stone slinging that placed him in the position to gain victory for his nation. 1 Samuel 17:17, we see that it was an ephah of roasted grain, ten loaves of bread for his brothers along with ten slices of cheese for the captain of the army. Not exactly battle worthy weaponry. But it was what was used to place him right where God would have him for God to do what only God could do through him. May we not ever question the tactics and the call of our Sovereign God! He knows what He is doing! He knows the how, and the when, and the where, and the why! Oh that we would rest in His good, holy, and sovereign hands... and obey.

What about the Rebozo? Well. I sat with anticipation and eyes wide open looking for the expectant woman panting through contractions on flight 1 and flight 2. None. Flight 3. None and He says… "not that kind of birth. And began to download in my mind a full lesson on the importance of the sharing of our testimony and the use of a rebozo…”

Don’t worry- the blog is coming on that too, but for today what is He requiring of you? What is He asking you to bring to the table? What gift has He given that He wants to use for His glory and another’s good? Will you trust His still small voice? Nations may lay in wait and if not nations, families and if not families, individuals and if not individuals... He is. He wants you to be a part of His plan. Will you surrender yours for His?

Trust and obey Him. No matter how absurd the call… trust and obey. He is the same God that multiplied the few fish and bread, walked on water, and defied death. It doesn’t always make sense until we’ve obeyed… You know, hindsight…

Matt 6:8, “Your Father knows what you need before you even ask."

James 5:16 The effectual fervant prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

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https://youtu.be/ktXehVI8BNg - I will Trust, Red Rocks Worship