Haha! "Holy Robozo!" Well I'm not sure the term "robozo" has ever been used like that, but give me a minute and it'll come into focus for you. If you are not a regular follower of Unraveled by Grace you may not have caught the last post, so I'll catch you up. Then you should go read "A Stethoscope and A Cuff." Here goes...
So, the Lord in His faithfulness never misses an opportunity to prepare and equip us for what He is calling us to. A week prior to my departure for Nome, Alaska as I was going about my day, His voice interrupts my tasks as He gently instructs, “Bring your rebozo.” Instantly, I knew He was referring to my trip. A jolt of anticipation rushed through my bones…”Lord, will I have the privilege to attend a birth in Alaska? on the plane? in the airport?” I could hear murmurings of Dr. Seuss in all my inquiries. My love for all things birth got me a bit excited about helping a new mother in need.
I sat with anticipation and eyes wide open looking for the expectant woman panting through contractions on flight 1 and flight 2. None. Flight 3. None, and He says… "not that kind of birth." And began to download in my mind a full lesson on the importance of the sharing of our testimony and the use of a rebozo…” You see robozo in Spanish means "shawl" and is used in parts of Mexico as a head and shoulder covering by women as well as a wrap for babies. It is basically an oversized scarf that can be used throughout pregnancy in a much different way for different purposes, but specifically when a mother is in labor. The laboring mother is placed on all fours on the floor, while the large fabric is wrapped around the mother's belly. Her birth companion, doula, or partner stands straddling her holding the ends of the fabric snuggly against her midsection. Her partner then gently begins to sift (or maybe I should say shift) her belly from side to side. Mothers often give a sigh of relief and I like to think their sweet babies do as well.
As the gentle sifting soothes the mother, there are some very beneficial things happening that are not apparent to the eye. The sifting brings relief to the mother's back that has been bearing the weight of pregnancy. It encourages a restfulness between contractions. Using the robozo also can support the mother in such a way that it relaxes muscles and ligaments, which from the demands of life have become tightened pulling the uterus and baby slightly off course, off centered. Through this relaxation, her baby can then become more optimally positioned for birth. In other positions, the robozo can serve as something for the mother to hold onto for security.
This is what the Lord showed me about this robozo deal. It is a picture of what the sharing of our testimony accomplishes. Revelation 12:11-12 says, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death. 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them." As we share our testimonies, our personal stories, of the faithfulness of Jesus to provide, to rescue, to save, to protect, to sustain, to keep, and to defend... all alongside the Gospel of the Lord Jesus without regard to our livelihood or reputation... things happen. People shift. We overcome. And. So do our hearers.
The sharing of our testimony mirrors the use of a robozo. It brings about relief to others as they see God is who He says He is through our obedience to His Word and that they too can trust Him. If He was faithful to us in our time of great need then why would He not be faithful to them as well. As they learn to take on His yoke that is easy and His burden that is light (Matt 11:28-30), the perception of pain may decrease and they can better manage the contractions of life that at times seem to squeeze the very breath of life out of our lungs. Relaxing in what we share about Truth of His Word, His Sovereignty and His unmatchable, never-ending, ridiculous love for them as seen in our own lives, those things that once bound them and pulled them off course looses their power over them. Their desires shift. Their weakness is traded for His strength. And now. They find themselves optimally positioned for birth.
Whether optimal positioning is for their birth unto salvation or for Father to birth in and through them a new thing (John 3:3-5). We get to be part of it! Because He loves us enough to include us, to call us co-labors, brothers, saints, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, to seat us in Christ in Heavenly places, and to equip us with every spiritual blessing. Praise God He calls us His!
Friends. Let this be an encouragement to share your story. Let's not hide behind our holy robozos. They are birthing tools and whether you are male or female, young or old, you are called to the birthing room of saints to be. Stand up. Stand out. Speak up. Allow Him to unravel your story and by His grace weave it into the lives of those around you.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:1- 8
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matt 11:28-30
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b]2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matt 28: 18-20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NyH9mDYECk, My Testimony, Elevation Worship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07atqeUvWW0 , My Testimony, Marvin Sapp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fw9EDKGHTU Born Again, Third Day
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