Chapter Eighteen

Eighteen

Sandy

Three weeks later

“Mrs. Grace,” Doctor Bourbon said seriously. “The odds of carrying your three babies to term are pretty remote. I hate to tell you this, but you should prepare yourself for the real possibility you may lose one, or even all three of these babies.”

The blood drained from Sandy's face as she listened to the doctor's words. But something went off inside of her not unlike that of a warrior stepping on the field of battle. In all of Sandy's life, with the exception of the loss of her father, she'd experienced what some might describe as a 'charmed' life. But deep within her, at a level she wasn't entirely familiar with, fierceness arose as she heard the doctor's counsel. She wasn't going to simply accept as fact what her doctor was warning her about. Her inner warrior spirit lit up like the night sky on the 4^th of July.

“Thank you, doctor. I appreciate what you are saying, but I'm here to say, I will carry these babies to term and they will each and every one of them be born, strong, healthy and ready to take on life! They have a destiny and a purpose which is far larger than anything either of us can imagine, and as their mother, I will not accept a death sentence for them! They will live. I know it.” Sandy said with an inner strength she didn’t know she possessed.

Doctor Bourbon looked into Sandy's eyes and saw something that genuinely surprised him. Ordinarily when giving a negative prognosis he'd expect to see fear, sorrow and despair in their face, but in Sandy he saw something measurable different. It shook him.

“Hmmm, well...” he stammered. “Well, I hope you're right, obviously.”

“I am. I know it like I've never known anything before in my entire life!”

“Okay, well, let's keep a close eye on things. Call me if you see any signs of trouble, and let's get you back in here in two weeks for a follow up appointment,” he said trying to regain his sense of composure and control.

“Thanks Doc. And, Doctor Bourbon, I appreciate your care and your thoroughness. And I know what you had to say to me was hard to do. Thank you for speaking courageously. But these babies are going to be just fine! I'll see you in two weeks!” Sandy said with a brightness and lilt in her voice as she walked out of the exam room.

Surprisingly, as she was leaving the office, she heard the doctor’s voice call out, “Sandy, hang on a minute.”

“Yes?”

“May I pray for you and your babies?” he asked sheepishly.

Sandy smiled. Things really were changing in Paine Harbor.

“Of course,” she replied. “Thank you, it would mean the world to me!”

He put his hand on her shoulder, in a somewhat fatherly manner, and began to pray. Right there in the hallway without concern about what others might think, he said, “Jesus, this woman is your daughter. And her little ones forming in her womb are your babies. Bring them to us, 100% healthy and 100% alive! Amen.”

Not surprisingly, Sandy was overwhelmed emotionally, and as he finished praying she felt a strange stirring in her expanding belly. The babies were kicking up a storm inside of her! 

“Doctor,” she said while grabbing his hand and placing it on her stomach. “Feel this! I think they liked your prayer!” Doctor Bourbon’s eyes grew wide in excitement and looking at Sandy he smiled and they both began to laugh.

That Evening

Grace Cottage

Oliver's face was pale as Sandy finished reporting events from her visit with Doctor Bourbon as they sat on the porch watching the sunset over Paine Harbor. This was a message no one ever wants to receive, and Oliver was having a difficult time with it. He leaned forward and put his hands in his face, unsure of what to say or even what to think.

“Oliver,” Sandy said tenderly, taking her beloved man's hand in hers, “I know everything is going to be fine. You are going to have three strong little babies to care for in a few months. They are going to change our lives and the lives of many. God is protecting them while they are in my womb. So, regardless of what the doctor warned me about, I’m believing what he prayed!”

He looked up at his wife. Carefully he looked intently in search of her beautiful face wondering where this faith and confidence was coming from. For much of their brief marriage, he'd perceived himself as the strong one and that when push came to shove, it would be his responsibility to shore her up, but now as a significant challenge has arisen, it was Sandy who was becoming the rock.

“How do you know, San? How can you know?” he asked.

“Know? I don't know. It's not about knowing. It's about believing. And I believe God has given our babies a destiny and He will fulfill His promise. Faith is bigger than my ability to know,” she said stated with such clarity. “I believe, and in believing, I am satisfied.”

Oliver gazed at his wife with the look of a person who is utterly amazed. In his inner man, he considered her words carefully. She allowed him the silence, knowing her husband's need to process things. All of Oliver's life he had understood the diagnosis of a doctor was the final word on a subject, and he had seen that reality lived out numerous times in his family and friends. And now, the one person he loved more than all others combined was asking him to believe this doctor was wrong and God Himself was somehow going to miraculously intervene. As much as he wanted to join in with Sandy on this, it was a bit much for him to swallow.

After careful consideration, Oliver quietly opened his mouth, “San, I love you so much and I desperately want for you to be right about this. You know I do.”

“I know, honey.”

“But, you are asking me to believe at a level I'm not sure I know how to do.”

“No, I'm not. Ollie. Listen to me,” she said softly and gently. “Listen. I'm telling you what I believe. In fact, it transcends simple faith, and has become utter confidence. But it’s my faith, Oliver, not yours. You've got to work that out with God, I can't do it for you.”

They looked at each other for in recognition of the importance of what Sandy had just said and she continued with her thoughts, “Ollie, I hope you can join me in believing for our babies. It’s really not that hard. But, even if you can't, I hope you won't try to undermine my faith. I'm not sure I could take that.”

By now tears were flowing down Sandy's cheeks and were forming in Oliver's eyes. Oliver wasn't sure exactly what to say, but reaching out his hand to take Sandy's in his, he said, “Sandy, that's the last thing I want to do – I'd hate myself if I somehow caused you to doubt God. And I know your faith is genuine. I can tell you aren't just trying to convince yourself  'everything will be okay'.” He paused as he considered his words carefully, after a brief respite he continued, “I'm just not there yet. But I want to be where you are. I really do.”

She reached out her hand and wiped Oliver's cheeks. Caressing him with the tenderness which only comes from being deeply in love with the other, she smiled. “I really, really, really love you Oliver Grace and I'm so honored to be spending my life with you as your wife. I just cannot imagine not being Mrs. Oliver Grace.”

Just then a large formation of brown pelicans flew by, sending shadows onto the Grace Cottage patio. Oliver and Sandy watched in amazement at the beauty and majesty of these giant birds flying effortlessly in perfect formation.

Grace Cottage

Early the Next Morning

Suddenly Oliver awoke. Their bedroom was pitch dark with the exception of the red glow cast by Oliver's alarm clock. It was 3:33 AM, long before anyone in the Grace cottage would ordinarily stir. Oliver lay in bed hoping to fall back to sleep, but found himself unable to do so. He considered picking up the book on his nightstand in hopes reading would cause him to fall asleep, but was concerned about waking his beloved who was fast asleep next to him. So he quietly got out of bed, putting on his robe and bright green fuzzy slippers Sandy had bought him impulsively before leaving California. “I’ll feel like Kermit the Frog when I wear these!” he had told her when she gave them to her.

Getting up, he wandered into the kitchen, scrounging around in the refrigerator for something good to munch on. Grabbing a piece of leftover meatloaf and a bottle of sparkling water, he walked towards the patio. He hadn't planned to go outside given the early onset of winter, but he found himself opening the large sliding door and stepped outside, grabbing a large throw blanket as he left the warmth of his home.

Bundling himself in the blanket, he looked across the lights of Paine Harbor towards the ocean. It was then he realized he was praying. Prayer is funny that way, a person can find themselves praying almost unconsciously and then suddenly come to an awareness of what they were doing, almost as if it was an out-of-body experience.

“God, I know you love Sandy and me. I've seen you do so much for my brother. And since moving to Paine Harbor, I'd be an idiot if I didn't see Your hand nearly everywhere I look, but...”

He paused thinking he’d heard a sound. Frankly, it frightened him a bit, but after a moment or two he sensed all was well and he continued his prayer.

“But... I don't know. I just don't know. What am I supposed to pray?” he asked honestly. “Am I supposed to pray the way Sandy does? Or should I pray for Sandy so she can be prepared for worse case scenario? I am so confused.”

It was then he sensed movement again. His eyes searched in hopes of seeing what it was, but he saw nothing. But he heard something. A Voice. Calm. Quiet. Stillness. It was a voice he knew from a long time ago when he was a boy, but he couldn't quite place it.

“Who is it?” he asked. “Who is speaking?” he paused, all senses on full alert.

“Oliver, it's me,” came the response, as Oliver turned to his right he came to realize he was experiencing a visitation that’d previously he’d only heard about in church meetings.

“You were calling out for me, and I came.”

Oliver’s heart was beating wildly from the shock.

“I called out for you?”

“You did,” the Voice paused. “Oliver, I bring you a gift. I have something you need, and I'm going to give it to you. No strings attached.”

“A gift?” said a totally overwhelmed Oliver who wasn't even sure this experience was actually happening. He began to wonder if he was in an episode of the old black and white TV show, “The Twilight Zone.”

“Ollie, this isn't a TV show, this is real life. I've got a gift for you. Do you want it? I give grace – which is what I've come to give you tonight. Did you notice the time when I woke you up?”

“Yeah, it was 3:33 in the morning.”

“That was no accident. Three is the number for unity. Just as I am one – yet three, you are to be united with my agenda and me. I'm here to unify you with what I am doing regarding your family. Listen carefully you are going to need this. I've given you and Sandy...”

“Three babies!” Oliver interrupted with sudden understanding.

“Three babies,” the Voice continued. “Three babies which will shake the earth for the sake of My kingdom. Three babies. Not one. Not two. But three. This is My will, that your wife would give birth to three perfect babies.”

“But the doctor...”

“I love your doctor, in fact he and I are becoming good friends. But remember, doctors practice medicine! They don't have it perfect! You cannot expect them to get it right every time! However, I have a perfect track record – and I'm here tonight to encourage you. Oliver, you will be the father to three babies who will be used of me to alter the world!”

“You said something about a gift?” he inquired.

“Ah, yes! That’s the whole purpose of my visit. Ollie, I've got something for you. But before I give it to you, I need to ask you an important question.”

He nodded in affirmation.

“Oliver, do you believe you will soon hold your three babies in your arms?”

Tears froze on Oliver's cold face. Silence followed. Finally, Oliver lifted his head and he said, “I want to believe, I really do.”

“I know you do. I know you do. So, before I give you my gift, I want to ask you for something. Will you give me your doubts?”

“My doubts?”

“Yes, your doubts.”

Silence ensued. Oliver thought about this for several minutes. Deeply he looked within himself and over time came to a decision, “Yes, I will.”

Suddenly something mysterious and completely unexpected happened. It was from out of the blue and didn't fit into any of his expectations, but he knew it was real and it would change his life from this moment onward.

“Ebenezer!” Oliver heard himself saying.  He remembered a Bible study he’d attended where they learned that whenever the people of Israel would have a significant God encounter they would erect a monument of stones to serve as a reminder of the encounter, not just for themselves but for future generations. These monuments were called ‘Ebenezers’ and this was an Ebenezer moment in his life.

Oliver’s ‘Ebenezer moment’ was that Holy Spirit had poured out the gift of faith in replacement for Oliver's willingness to release his doubts. Suddenly he knew deep within himself that he would indeed hold his three babies in his arms! And his faith affirmed what Sandy had already been saying. He heard himself say aloud, “The doctor was mistaken.” And he came to believe the Grace babies were just fine and fully protected by a good God who had amazing purposes for their lives!

“What was impossible in my heart has become completely possible! I believe! I believe everything you have said to me! I believe Sandy is right! Halleluiah! Praise God! Woohoo! This is amazing!” Oliver said loudly. So loudly he woke up his beautiful pregnant wife.

“What’s going on Oliver?” said an extremely sleepy Sandy. “Is everything okay?”

Oliver looked into her eyes and said, “Remember earlier you said, ‘I believe, and in believing, I am satisfied.’”

“Yeah I remember.”

“I’m satisfied too.”

“I knew you would be,” Sandy said softly.