I am overjoyed by the birth of my third grandchild and first grandson who was born last week. Although I wasn’t in the delivery room with my son and his wife when he was born, I was at the hospital and had the delight and privilege of seeing him shortly after his birth. Once again I was in awe of the absolute miracle of birth! I also was amazed by the number of changes that have taken place since I had my babies in the 80’s and early 90’s, which got me thinking about how the delivery of babies has changed so much in just the last century.
I was part of the Lamaze generation of ‘natural childbirth’ so I was blown away to be in the room while my daughter-in-law—whose labor had to be induced and then was given an epidural-was connected to a monitor that revealed she was having contractions, but was seemingly not experiencing labor pains. While I watched her, keenly aware of the contrast to the labors I had, I wondered who had brainwashed me into having four natural childbirths! After my grandson was delivered—in the same private room where my daughter-in-law labored and where they remained for the duration of their 2-day stay– they put his naked, ‘uncleaned’ body on her chest for an hour of ‘skin to skin bonding’. My son was there throughout the labor and delivery, and he even was able to cut the umbilical cord. The baby slept in a bassinet in the same room with his Mom for the duration of their hospital stay, and my son was able to enjoy those precious newborn days with his wife and new son too, not even having to leave at night since a sofa bed was provided for him in the same room.
What a contrast between that and when my Mom gave birth to my siblings and me in the 1950’s! She gave birth to me in a delivery room that not only was separate from the hospital room she shared with other Moms, but also separated her from my Dad, who like all of his contemporaries, definitely was not allowed in—nor did he ever consider going into– the delivery room. My Mom, like other women of her day, was heavily sedated and virtually uninvolved in the delivery that required forceps since she was too sedated to push. She did get a chance to briefly look at me before I was whisked away, weighed, and laid in a bassinet in the nursery in a row alongside all the other babies. The nurses took me to her during scheduled times and my Dad was able to visit her during strict visiting hours, as long as I was not in her room. He was only able to glance at me through the glass window of the nursery, never even able to hold me during my hospital stay.
As I thought of the changes that have taken place in the birth and delivery of babies over just the past century and how things vary based on mankind’s view of what is best, it made me so grateful to realize that God and His Word never change! One thing we can know about man’s ‘wisdom’–it will always change based on ‘new knowledge’. However, because God is the Source of all wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 2:6; Romans 11:33-34), you can know that His Word can always be relied upon to give you truth, wisdom, and the sure guidance you need for living a purposeful, meaningful, joyous, and peaceful life. I encourage you to read the scriptures below and to thank God that He is not the author of confusion, but He is the faithful One Who can always be trusted because His character is totally consistent, He is unchanging, and He is always true to His Word!
“For I the LORD do not change… Malachi 3:6 ESV
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. James 1:17 AMP
Also the Splendor and Glory and Eminence of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind. 1st Samuel 15:29 AMP
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Psalm 119: 89 ESV
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24: 35 ESV
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8 ESV
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19 ESV
I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Psalm 89:34 ESV
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?… For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1st Corinthian 1:20b, 25 ESV
For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 ESV
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
Are you putting your trust and hope in the variableness of man’s reasoning and ways, or are you trusting in God Who is always ‘Faithful and True’ (Revelation 19:11)?
Lord, forgive me for when I doubt You and foolishly put my trust in the changing ways of mankind that conflict with Your unchanging Word! Increase my faith in You and help me to stand firm on Your unchanging Word in the midst of an ever-changing world! I love You, Lord, and I put my hope in You Who will not and cannot fail me! I declare that You alone are God, that all wisdom and knowledge is found in You, and You will accomplish Your purposes for me and for Your world! Amen.
Written by Julie Van Gorp
True View Ministries 
Reblogged this on Jesus.