"In God’s eyes, all human life is sacred." ~ Genesis
9:6
They’d been trying frantically for
a baby. Julie, an obstetrics nurse, had
suffered two miscarriages before she became pregnant.
Then, at 14 weeks, she started having painful cramps. An ultrasound painted a grim picture that
every parent-to-be dreads - spina bifida. Their unborn son’s spine had
failed to close properly during the first month of pregnancy.
If a baby survives, spina bifida often leaves debilitating
defects including hydrocephaly and a host of devastating secondary conditions. Abortion was encouraged as an option.
But after years of trying to conceive, the couple believed
that God had chosen this baby for them. Scripture
is clear on the sanctity of life in the womb; ending the pregnancy was never an
option.
Based on her medical training, Julie discovered a pioneering
program of in-utero surgery at a hospital in Nashville. The theory behind the surgery is that repairing
spine disorder before the baby is born prevents or limits brain damage, and
gives a better chance of healing.
After intensive discussions with the medical staff, they not
only gave surgical approval for their 21-week-old Samuel, they also agreed to let a
photographer capture the surgery on film to increase awareness of this innovative
procedure.
Tension mounted as the surgery began. The procedure would take place within the
uterus; no part of the child was to breach the surgical opening.
The procedure took less than 90 minutes and seemed to go
well. As the photographer stepped
forward to get a final shot, the uterus shook violently from within.
Suddenly, an entire arm thrust out of the surgical opening,
then pulled back until just a little hand was showing. The doctor reached over and lifted the tiny hand
that reacted by squeezing his finger as if to say “Thank You!” Testing for strength, the doctor shook the
tiny fist. Samuel held firm as the
photographer shot.
The image captured the amazing event with perfect
clarity. The “Hand of Hope” photo instantly
went viral and has been used extensively by pro-life and Christian
organizations to illustrate life inside the womb.
Samuel’s surgery delivered the results his parents had
prayed for. The hydrocephalus began
shrinking immediately. By the time their
young son was born 15 weeks later, his brain damage had also reversed.
Now an active teenager, Samuel Armas has become a pro-life
advocate. "When I see that picture, he said, “the first thing I think of is
how special and lucky I am to have God use me that way. There is no debate about whether a child in
utero is alive; the debate is over whether or not they are worthy of
protection. By witnessing such divine
miracles, scientific research within the womb is challenging many to reconsider
that question.”
Father God, all life is in Your care. You’ve entrusted us to one another, that we
may show everyone the same love You have for us. We pray, then, for the least among us, the
children in the womb. Protect them from the violence of abortion. Amen
