Our Little Butterfly: Jasmine's Short Visit

It's hard to believe four years have passed already. In 2007, October 20th was a Saturday night. There was pizza in the oven and Melissa and I were looking forward to dinner. Toby was just over a year old and Mel was 17 weeks' pregnant.

And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Verses like this one (Romans 8:28) sound terrific when things are going well. But can we hold to those verses and cling to their promises when everything goes pear-shaped?

The contractions started at about 5pm, and on the way to the hospital they got worse. Melissa prayed for peace and immediately felt protected and relaxed within herself.

Five minutes after entering Emergency, Melissa’s waters broke. A bed was found. Melissa was being asked a few questions when another contraction occurred, and she began to deliver.

At 8:10pm Jasmine arrived. The nurses were unsure what our response would be, and even wondered whether Melissa fully realised she had given birth. But she knew, and I looked at the baby for the first time, seeing a tiny, yet fully-formed, ear. The nurses were shocked by the smile and look of awe on my face, and we explained to them that we were Christians and told them about the peace we had prayed for earlier. This changed the atmosphere completely.

When our baby was born, her heart was still beating. She passed away in our arms.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16

We were able to hold our perfectly-formed little girl and gaze in wonder at God’s creation. Looking at her fingernails and toenails, and at her tiny lips, we marvelled at how perfect and fully-formed she was at such an early stage.

We named her Jasmine; gift from God.

Delirious penned a great song:

I'll see you when I get there,
Shining like the sun.
I'll see you when I get there,
Into your arms I'll run.

I see you when the wind blows,
Running without fear,
Born to rest in your fathers arms,
Your joy has dried the tears.

I'll see you when I get there,
When my life's complete,
Will you take me to Jesus' feet?
Hand in hand we'll sing.

We're gonna sing for you.

Dear Jasmine, Our Little Butterfly, our Gift from God,

You didn't stay long, but we loved every minute we shared with you.

You revealed our Lord's Grace and Mercy and Love not only to us, but to all who met you.

We look forward to meeting you again in Heaven.

We'll see you when we get there: our little girl, all grown up.

We love you.

Mummy and Daddy.