Chapter Thirty Four

Thirty Four

Sandy's hospital room 

Bangor Regional Hospital 12 hours later

Sandy had largely recovered from the effects of the anesthesia and although her abdomen was quite sore, she was feeling pretty good for a woman who had just delivered three babies into the world. Oliver sat by her bedside quietly holding her hands and studying her beautiful face. “It's like I've never seen her before,” he mused in his spirit.

She was filled with questions about the events of the day, seeking to know the missing pieces. Oliver was trying to fill in the details, but was becoming keenly aware of how much he'd missed due to the stress he was under.

“Well, aren't we a pair?” Sandy laughed. “I'm physically unconscious, and you are mentally unconscious.”

“You know, honey,” Oliver said seriously. “There is only one thing missing. One thing we haven't done yet.”

“What's that?”

“These boys need names.”

“True.” Sandy said distantly. Sandy had been treasuring in her heart and seeking the Lord for months concerning this important issue, yet had not received any leadings or guidance. Now at the point of decision, she desperately wanted to hear from the Lord.

“What? Where'd you go?”

“Oliver, I've been praying about their names. A name is something powerful, and in many cases it can really shape the person. I'm nervous about messing this up,” she said honestly.

Holding her hand in his, Oliver thought carefully and prayed silently looking for wisdom. “You are right,” he acknowledged. “I have an idea!”

“Go on!” Sandy encouraged.

“Let's ask the nurses to bring them in here, right now. Then, let's remember the specific prophecies given about them, ask for Holy Spirit to show us which prophecy applies to which baby, and then seek revelation about the right name.” Oliver said excitedly.

“Can we do that?” Sandy wondered.

“Why not?” Oliver replied. “I think we are learning we can ask for anything we need, and He loves to hear our requests.”

Smiling in growing confidence, Sandy enthusiastically agreed with Oliver's idea.

A few minutes later, a knock was heard at the door. “Come in,” Sandy said. A nurse brought Baby #1 into the room, followed by a second nurse doing the same with Baby #2. When Baby #3 didn't follow immediately after, Oliver spoke up and questioned the nurses.

“Oh, don't worry, they are on their way.” Looking out the door, she said, “Here they are right now!”

Baby #3 came into the room in the arms of Sandy's mother, Iris. Sandy shouted out in surprise and joy, “Mom!”

Oliver stood and gave her a huge hug, even lifting her off the ground slightly in his exuberance. “Hey, I'm holding my grandson, be careful!” she said with a smiling face. “As soon as Demetrius brought me up to speed, I booked a flight out of San Diego. The only place I could get to was Boston. So I took the flight. Then I called in some favors from one of your father's old Navy buddies, and well, the next thing you know, well, all you need to know is I'm here!” Iris reported victoriously. “But it wasn't easy.”

“Oh Mom,” Sandy said completely overwhelmed and filled with emotions. Tears flowed down her face as the two women embraced in that special bond which seems to only exist between a mother and daughter. 

“Sandy, Oliver,” Iris said wiping her tears as well, “Thank you for making me a grandmother! These boys are perfect. Look at them! I've never seen such beautiful babies! Can you believe it? We've been praying and praying for their arrival and look! They are here! Healthy! Strong! Fantastic!” Pausing, she took it all in. Sandy was holding one, Oliver the other and Iris hadn't yet released the one she'd carried into the room. “Do they have names yet?”

“Funny, you'd ask.” Oliver replied. He went on to explain what they'd just been discussing. Iris nodded in full approval. “Iris, will you help us?”

Stunned at this request, Iris was uncharacteristically silent, but was able to nod in agreement.

Not knowing precisely what to do, Oliver led out in prayer. “Holy Spirit we simply invite your amazing Presence into this room and into our lives, all six of us!” Iris and Sandy immediately fell into agreement.

Giving thanks for the baby's safe arrival and good health, along with the miraculous interventions in the details of their birth Oliver continued, “We need wisdom. We need insight. We’re asking for a revelation about the specific destinies of our children and the names which will serve them well.”

Sandy interrupted, “And, we don't want to get this wrong. So we really are hungering for You to help us. Show us, for You've assigned us the task of raising these boys, and we desperately want to do it right, so... please show us!”

It was Oliver who first became aware of the glow around the baby in Sandy's arms. He heard himself saying with confidence and authority, “His name is David. For the Lord has made him to be a lover of God first and foremost and an artist with an incredibly ability to lead others into the Presence.” Sandy took Oliver's hand, and with great force squeezed it in recognition of God's movement.

The baby in Iris's arms began to cry. Sandy looked and her eyes made direct contact with the baby. Speaking with great emotion and joy, she declared, “He is a great intellect. He will be able to discern the difficult and create new and world-changing technologies advancing medical care in third-world countries. He is to be called Luke, after Luke the Physician.” Turning to Oliver, Sandy sought his approval. “Yes! Luke. That's a great name! It’ll serve him well!”

All eyes were focused on the last Grace child. Newborn babies aren't supposed to smile, but in this moment he did. Oliver began to speak again, “He is to be called Abraham, for God will use him to be a father to a great many people. He will be a father to the fatherless, loving them back into true family. He will be a father to the lost. Offering love and mercy to the broken people in the business world. As a father, he will be used by God to build and establish strong businesses employing and more importantly loving tens of thousands of people. Abraham!”

Sandy sobbed with the joy of God's response to their prayers. “Each name is perfect, thank you God for these names! David, Luke and Abraham. I’ll never forget this moment.”

A holy quiet filled the room. Oliver and Sandy, along with Iris were keenly aware they'd just experienced an entirely new level of His Presence, and were overwhelmed with gratitude and joy.  This was a moment, joining a growing list of moments, they’d never forget.

Suddenly the door flew open, and a harried nurse rushed into the room. Speaking softer than her entrance might have suggested she spoke with authority nonetheless, “Okay, this woman has been through a great deal today. Let her rest. Go home. Get something to eat. Come back tomorrow!” she said as she ushered them out of the room.

Peeking his head back in the room, Oliver said to Sandy, “I love you!”  As the door was about to shut, he heard her say, “I know.”