miracle baby

one of my best friend's had her baby last week.
he came two months too early.
three pounds. fifteen ounces.

for those of you unfamiliar with the newborn world...if a baby stays in the womb to a full nine month term, they will usually weigh anywhere from six to nine pounds on average. THREE POUNDS!! that is tiny! the amazing thing about this baby is that he has had no complications. most premature babies have heart or lung problems, being underdeveloped. so far, the doctors can find no problems whatsoever. he is developing well. and even advanced in some ways...he's already taking his mom's milk. and the strange thing is the doctors can't figure out why she went into labor so early. she had no complications during her pregnancy...in fact she is one of the healthiest people i know of. was this little one just so eager to come into the world?

it makes me wonder. what is in store for this child? is he going to be one of those prodigy children, who start their college education at the age of 13? is he a prophet bringing news to the world? a famous concert pianist?

more than anything it is a picture of God's timing being so different from our own timing. for some reason or another, God has a purpose in bringing this child into the world, two months earlier than anyone had imagined. maybe it's solely so that my friend will be able to empathize with all the women who have premees. she will be able to comfort those she would not have comforted in the same way in the past. maybe it's to show more of the miracle of life. after only seven mere months of growth, a life...a new breathing, living life is in the world. that's only 217 days of growth! it's really incredible if you think about it.

and ... speaking of God's timing... for some reason i'm still here in Colorado. i never imagined myself being here for as long as i have. i wouldn't have chosen to be here as long as i have. and yet good has come out of it. good that i didn't see coming.