Elliot Samuel’s Birth Story . . .

Elliot Samuel Calaway was born July 11, 2020, at 8:40am, weighing in at 8 lbs and 11 ounces, measuring 20 inches long, and arriving four weeks before his due date. Let me tell you more about his birth and God’s involvement.

God can be trusted.

A few days before Elliot’s early arrival, Becki’s sister came to visit. Daniel and Clark love spending time with their Aunt Kari, or should I say ‘Care Care’ in Clark speech. She was a big help in life with Momma Becki late into her third trimester. Kari considered leaving Friday but decided to stay an extra day. Becki woke up at 6am Saturday morning with strong contractions. We left the boys with Kari and rushed to the hospital. We got settled in the delivery room and Becki was about at push time. Our midwife arrived just in time to start the delivery process. By 8:40am, we had our baby boy. I’m happy I didn’t have to deliver a baby in the hospital elevator!

We try to live our lives in a constant state of leaning on God, living in relationship with Him, trusting Him to guide. Steps were taken to have our bags packed and house as ready as it could be because our firstborn came six weeks early, but we didn’t know baby day was Saturday. God knew. He brought Kari to Pensacola and kept her here an extra night. He got us and our midwife to the hospital in time for delivery. I love His all knowing-ness and care for us. He can be trusted.

Prayer works.

“Adorable elf / hobbit like ears.”

Quickly after delivery, Elliot was placed on Becki. He appeared to be perfect for four weeks early and Becki gestationally diabetic. Chunky. Full head of hair. Breathing steadily. Adorable elf / hobbit-like ears. His nurse took him to clean and weigh him. She noticed some strained breathing, assumed low blood sugar, and brought him to the nursery. The nurses and doctor in there confirmed his nurse’s hunch. An IV drip of sugar water was set up. His breathing immediately improved and his blood sugar regulated but no one wanted him hooked to an IV longterm. To go home, he had to nurse and maintain blood sugar on his own but the IV kept him sleepy and disinterested in nursing. Vicious cycle. About a day and a half into this, in the fog of sleepless nights and craziness, it dawned on us to intentionally pray and ask our family to pray. I remember one specific moment laying my hands on his little body and praying / speaking over him. We knew others were praying, too. Within hours the nurses were able to steadily back down the IV. That started early evening on Sunday. By Monday morning he was completely off the IV.

Prayer works.

God still speaks.

“Looking at baby boy’s face, we felt his first name was Elliot.”

We had a working list of man child names. A few weeks ago it narrowed down to a bathroom chalk list in the shower. Elliot. Samuel. Arthur. Joshua Jr (j/k). Etc. When baby boy came, that was where we were at with his name. It’s a lot of pressure to name someone! It is the name they’ll have for life! Our families suggested Samwise, Tony Stark and Steven Rogers Calaway. All very viable options for a nerd like me. We liked Elliot because it is unique and means the Lord is my God. We liked Samuel because he was the Billy Graham of the Old Testament, heard God’s voice and obediently led the nation of Israel with integrity for his entire life (Samwise was pretty great in Lord of the Rings, too!). I felt God wanted Samuel in his name so I assumed first name. Becki and I talked and prayed. Looking at baby boy’s face, we felt his first name was Elliot. So, Elliot Samuel Calaway it was.

Living life listening for God’s direction can at times be like grasping in the dark. That way slowly. No, close, but this way now slowly. Warmer. Warmer. Ah, there’s the way and the peace of feeling God’s pleasure in finding His path.

We have all the time we need.

After Elliot was born, my load multiplied exponentially. I went from a supportive husband not able to do much myself but watch Becki labor to carrying the majority of the weight of our family. I drove home from the hospital every morning to get Daniel and Clark out of bed and ready for their day. I did what had to be done remotely for work. Back to the hospital to support Becki and Elliott. Then to the house for dinner, play, and bed time. To the hospital again to support Becki and Elliot and sleep in shifts between feedings. Start again the next day. It quickly felt overwhelming. I remembered Pastor Charles Stanley saying on a podcast we have all the time we need to do what God has called us to do, not what we or others may call us to but what God has. God has called me to be a man of God as a husband to my wife and a father to my children. I decided to focus on that and trust God to give me grace. This freed me from trying to please others and myself and instead live in each moment with the Lord. Things didn’t magically get easier but they became much more manageable and even enjoyable moment by moment.

Selfie sent to Becki while at the hospital.

Clark saying “Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese” for Becki.

Daniel testing out the baby car seat.

Wagon ride time.

Elliot is a treasure. We’re so thankful he was born.

Clark isn’t the baby in the family anymore.

Big brother snuggles.

Someone is happy to be home!

The Other Joseph

If I said, “Joseph in the Bible”, what would come to your mind? Old Testament hero? A coat of many colors? Sale to slavery by brothers? A movie with Sir Ben Kingsley shining as Potiphar? Maybe you would think of Jesus’ father. It seems like that is all he is known for. Growing up, my sister was popular and often I would hear “Oh, hi, you’re Katie’s brother.” Applying that same logic, Joseph may have heard, “Oh, hi, you’re Jesus’ earthly father.”

Since the New Year, I have been slowly reading the book of Matthew. In chapter 2 we see The Other Joseph sleeping at home with Mary and baby Jesus. God tells Joseph in a dream to escape to Egypt because King Herod is going to try to kill baby Jesus. It would have been easy to slip back to sleep and deal with leaving in the morning. Who wants to pack up and go anywhere in the middle of the night (except maybe for a Sonic blast)? Instead, Joseph immediately woke up the family and they hurriedly left for Egypt. Joseph’s precise and prompt obedience protected Jesus and fulfilled prophecy.

In my family, when our schedules allow, we like to take afternoon walks. Last week, Becki pushed Clark in our double stroller and I walked / jogged with Daniel. He likes to run and have me chase him while he sings Can’t Catch Me I’m the Gingerbread Man. Off in the distance I noticed a car coming our way. I told Daniel to come with me to the side of the street. He looked around, slowly moved toward the side, and asked “Whyyyyyyyy”. I grabbed his shoulder and pulled while I told him to move because a car was coming. His precise and prompt obedience was necessary for his protection even if he was unable to see what I could see. It’s the same with our walk with our heavenly Father!

Lord God, thank you for allowing me to walk with you through this life. Thank you for the joy we get to have on the journey. Remind me that you can see so much more than I do. Help me to trust your love and care for me when you ask me to obey even if I don’t understand. Holy Spirit, enable me to have precise and prompt obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.