Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? [Ecclesiastes 4:11 KJV]
A recent visit for Morning Cuppas with Glenys introduced me to a literal heart-warming story where a preemie, given up as lost, was given life from her mother’s desire to hold her. Born at only twenty ounces, doctors told the parents that Rachel had but moments to live. Her mom remembered:
“I didn’t want her to die being cold. So I lifted her out of her blanket and put her against my skin to warm her up.”
Mom thought it would be the only opportunity to cuddle her little girl, but she was wrong. With the warmth of her mother to help, Rachel began to breath. Her mother said:
“She literally was turning from grey to pink before our eyes, and she began to warm up too.”
Until this point, the doctors did not try to save the baby. They were wrong to ignore the chance to save a life.
Just before reading this story, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 had been on my heart.
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 KJV]
What better example of these verses could be the life of this child? Mother and child are the two better than one; together they had heat, add the threefold cord of father, mother and child and the family is not easily broken.
There is a greater example, though, when we consider the soul of a child. When others give up on the soul of an unrepentant child, are we willing to work for a good reward for their labour?
Are we willing to be the one who will lift up his fellow? Or will they be alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up? Can there be one or two who will help create that threefold cord not quickly broken?
I can think of such a child and I am praying for her, speaking with her and wishing I could hold her close to allow the warmth of our Lord’s love to give her eternal breath. Will you join with us, at least in prayer? Or, find your own child to warm?