A unique thing about our second son’s birth story is that it involved going to the hospital twice. Once at 10 AM and once at 5 PM. The morning visit led to a discussion with my doctor who suggested we go home and come back later.
You see, I woke up in pain that day knowing full well it was baby day. So, we packed up our blue-eyed toddler and our bags, said goodbye to the life of a family of 3, and headed to the hospital where I was given a choice to continue laboring at home or staying there and laboring while being admitted. Begrudgingly, I chose home. I say begrudgingly because I thought it was time and wrestled with the guilt of not knowing my body better. (Even in active labor we still tell ourselves things we would never let our best friend believe.)
However, as I got escorted in my second wheelchair ride of the day, I noticed a sticky note that made me feel relieved, joyful, and so peaceful and all it said was “Reserved for Ariel N.” on the door of the room I was in that morning. My door. They kept my room for me.
I still can’t quite put into words how much that little note meant to me then and still makes me teary eyed today. It’s sometimes easy to believe the lie that you’re just another number or insurance claim in this life, but the OB staff saw me as a person, a woman, who would indeed be back to have her baby. (Within two hours of the words “admitted” I will point out!)
One of our family’s dance party songs is “Big House” by Audio Adrenaline. It’s all about God’s Heavenly Home he has for us- one that comes “with lots and lots of rooms”. Every time we sing/dance to it, it makes me think of that sticky note on that hospital door. God knows this Earthly life isn’t forever and I will be coming home for good.
No matter how horrific this life gets. No matter how painful it is. No matter how heart-wrenching. Or stressful, unjust, or irritating.
If we’re his, we have a room. We have a room that is ours, with our name on it. We have a room that is being prepared that is unparalleled to what we see and know in the best way. We have a room that is reserved. We too will safely arrive at home.
