And He Presented Him to His Mother

Dad loved to go on Sabbath afternoon drives.  One of these times Dad and Dr. Taylor, a friend of the family, went for a ride in the back country roads of Arroyo Grande, California.

They had a grand time discussing the scenery and the new Gold Caddy Dad had just purchased.  They came up over a rise on the Los Barros road that led to Highway 101 when they saw a terrible accident.  Debris was strewn everywhere.  It was apparent to them that the accident had just occurred.  Dad straddled the debris in the road not wanting to puncture any tires or damage the undercarriage of his new car.  He pulled to a stop and both he and Dr. Taylor got out to inspect the damage and lend help until the ambulance and police arrived.

The couple in the car was Hispanic and the woman held an infant in her arms.  Dad spoke fluent Spanish. The woman was very distressed and seemed to be really agitated.  She kept crying and saying over and over, "¿Dónde está mi bebé, Senor, me bebé? Oh Mi hijo pequeño!" (Where is my baby, sir, my baby? Oh my little boy!)
 

Dad was perplexed.  She was holding her infant.  Thinking she was confused he gently told her that she was holding her baby. "Mira!" (Look), he said as he pointed to the baby.  "no, no!"  she cried.  Starting all over again with her moaning, agitation, and crying, "Mi bebé,  mi bebé! Por favor!  Mi bebé!

Her husband in the car told Dad that they were coming home from the hospital where his wife had  delivered twins.  The other baby was missing.  Dr. Taylor looked back up the road and saw the pile of debris that Dad had straddled.  "That looks like baby blankets!" Dr. Taylor said with great concern.  Dad looked down the road and his throat tightened.  Not only did he see the blankets but he saw a short distance away a truck approaching. Without hesitation Dad ran to the pile of blankets and picked it up.  Sure enough, there was a small newborn infant wrapped in the blankets.  He was breathing but not conscious.  The truck driver slammed on his breaks, slowed and stopped before reaching the accident.

Dr. Taylor carefully took the infant and inspected it.  Making sure there were no broken bones or serious lacerations he placed the infant in the mother's arms.  The baby was dazed. "Muchas gracias señor! Gracias por mi bebé!" (Thank you, sir! Thank you for my baby!) breathed the relieved mother.

Dad playing with great grandson, Davy.

Dad steadied himself against his car.  His legs became shaky and he felt a little lightheaded.  The horrible thought of running over a baby began to wash over him.  Dr. Taylor gave words of comfort.  "God helped you steer the car carefully over the baby and it wasn't injured.  It was wonderful to place him back in his mother's arms.  We came along at just the right time!"

Dad has always had a soft spot in his heart for babies and toddlers.  For years he would get a strange feeling when he talked about that situation.  He also knew that God was in control and takes care of His little ones.

When I think of this story it reminds me of how God must feel for me.  When Jesus was on this earth he had many experiences of compassion and tenderness.  In Luke 7:11-14 a story is related of how Jesus was able to place a child back into his mother's arms.  It says, "When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, 'Do not weep.' Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still.  And He said, 'Young man, I say to you, arise.' So he who was dead sat up and began to speak.  And He presented him to his mother." How wonderful that mother must have felt to have back so precious a gift that moments before she had lost.

I am grateful for a God who cares so much for me that he "provides a way of escape". (1 Corinthians 10:13). He also restores to me the gift of life that humanity so carelessly tossed aside at the Three of Knowledge of Good and Evil. My heavenly Father, who doesn't ever give up on me, is holding out his arms and Christ who rescued me is placing me back in my Father's arms.  What a comfort! What a joy! What a hope! What a gift!

Written by Susanne Kanen

February 8, 2000