Know the Truth: 7-Day Devotional for NICU ParentsSample

Lie #7: I should forget everything about the NICU.

The Truth: The NICU experience is an important part of your child’s testimony.

For more than a year, I didn’t want to think about Prosper’s NICU journey. Looking at photos from his hospital stay would make me cry. The memories would bring up so many uncomfortable emotions. The enemy had me believing that it would always be this way. But one morning while writing this devotional, God showed me that I was believing a lie. The Lord shared, “These painful memories are part of a bigger, beautiful story: my grace and my healing power!”

Your baby needs you to remember his or her story, even the painful parts. NICU babies are fighters. They’re dealing with circumstances that would frighten many grown adults. I call Prosper a warrior, and I’m sure you feel the same way about your little one. NICU babies are too young to remember anything happening to them. They are depending on you to hold on to these memories, so that when they are older, you can tell them about the challenges they overcame as newborns. Once they are older, they will want to know. In Deuteronomy 4:9, Moses encourages the Israelites to remember the miracles God performed and to remember all that God did to free them from bondage in Egypt: “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”

Even though I was angry and saddened about Prosper being in the NICU, I knew at some point I would look back at this journey and want proof of what he experienced. I’m so thankful for the photos and videos my husband and I captured because even when we leave this earth, Prosper will have access to these images and understand how God healed him. I edited a video of Prosper’s journey so it can live on forever and give God glory. I pray his testimony encourages you and that this devotional provokes you to know the truth as a NICU parent.

WATCH here: https://youtu.be/-85fdfxyJig

Reflection:

What moments from your child’s NICU journey do you want to share with your baby at an older age? Are you capturing these moments now? Why or why not?