Wednesday, October 08, 2008

The Sweetest Sound

To an expectant mother, the sweetest, most beautiful sound is the sound of the unborn child's heart beat. The sound of galloping horses helps to temporarily ease the anxieties one feels about a work in progress, one whose finished product remains unseen until many months of "ifs" and "maybes". And nothing is more beautiful than seeing that fetus moving about on an ultrasound screen, its little limbs pumping and a tiny blinking circle signifying a strong, beating heart.




This time around, Bob and I had Makayla along for the experience. She has been eager to see "her" baby after months of kissing it through my slowly expanding belly. While I imagine she expected a Kodak-style image, she nevertheless "oohed" and "aahed" along with her father as the image of "her" baby flashed on the ultrasound screen. The technician graciously pointed out to us the baby's tiny toes and fingers and its beautiful beating heart.

Having my daughter there for the experience brought back memories of my first pregnancy. I will never forget the first time I saw Makayla, then an 18 week-old fetus, on the ultrasound screen. It was something I had never experienced before and one I found awe-inspiring. And now, as I look upon the ultrasound photo of my second child, God's work in progress, I cannot help but be amazed by God's power again. The fact that a cluster of cells has grown into a recognizable human fetus in a matter of weeks is nothing short of amazing. How can one look upon the miracle of life and not believe that there is an intelligent, divine being behind the intricate design? I don't know. I, for one, give God the glory and praise for what he has created, and what he continues to create, in this my child.