| Scripture Reference-Gen. 2:7 The Lord God formed | | | | my eyes. Her face fully formed with two eyes, a |
| the man from the dust of the ground and breathed | | | | nose and mouth. She appeared to be sleeping with |
| into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man | | | | her eyes closed, and a look of peace covered her |
| became a living being. God formed man from the | | | | entire body. As I lied in the hospital bed studying the |
| dust of the earth? Should we believe this statement | | | | newborn’s face, Gary walked over to me and |
| literally or was the author of Genesis speaking | | | | whispered, “Did you smell her?” |
| figuratively? I never really questioned the statement, | | | | “No,” I answered. Puzzled he would ask such |
| but I suppose since it’s in the Bible, someone has | | | | a question at this time. As I bent over to give her a |
| questioned it at one time. I personally believe this | | | | kiss on the cheek, an unbelievably potent scent |
| statement to be a literal fact, one that God proved | | | | coming from her body consumed the air between us. |
| to my husband and I, in a personal and yet powerful | | | | I was shocked and inspired by the smell of her body. |
| demonstration. On October 25, 2002 (The day my | | | | The smell of her body was that of freshly tilled soil |
| stillborn daughter was born), my husband Gary | | | | from the earth. If you have ever been on a farm or |
| followed a nurse as she carried the baby to an infant | | | | in someone’s yard when they are tilling the land |
| crib. They proceeded to give her a sponge bath. | | | | for their crops, then you should have a good idea of |
| Once the baby was clean, they dressed her in a | | | | the scent I am referring. As I pondered what I was |
| diaper, and the burial clothes I had picked out for her | | | | experiencing, I couldn’t help but remember the |
| to wear to her funeral. The nurse wrapped her in | | | | words in Genesis how it says that God formed man |
| some blankets and walked toward me holding the | | | | from the dust of the earth. My conclusion: Everyone |
| baby. She asked me if I wanted to see and hold her. | | | | is made in the image of God, but if we don’t |
| Reluctant at first (because I knew she had already | | | | have the breath of God passing through our bodies, |
| passed away), I agreed to go ahead and hold her. As | | | | we are just dirt. I also believe we can safely trust |
| the nurse placed the baby in my arms, my first | | | | Him to be speaking the truth with every single word |
| response was one of relief. The baby was beautiful in | | | | that proceeds from His mouth. |