Kingdom Women: Mary-If I Were Your Doula by Kourtney Street
This is part of an ongoing series on Kingdom Women—women God has used and is using in His great Kingdom endeavor. We will meet these women in God’s Word, in the early church, in the dark ages, in the past great missionary efforts and among today’s true followers of Jesus. Appropriately today we look at the mother of Jesus.
Shortly after our wedding, I began devouring books about midwifery and childbirth. By the time the line on the pregnancy test turned blue three years into our marriage, I knew the path I wanted to travel. A spinal tap during high school had left me more terrified of another needle in my back than I was of birthing a baby. We secured a brilliant midwife and took a childbirth class. We also hired a doula, a woman who serves a pregnant woman and her partner before, during, and after birth with physical and emotional support. Our doula, Heather, helped us transform the sterile hospital room into a sacred space as we greeted our first son. An international move determined that our next two boys were birthed in different places. Thankfully, both were welcomed with the assistance of a doula. Five years ago, the served became the serving when I was invited to assist at a birth for a dear friend whose husband was set to be deployed. Wholeheartedly embracing her request, I pursued formal training as a doula: classes, more books, papers, and eventually, many more births. And you, Mary. You are never far from my mind as I attend women and their husbands in extreme vulnerability. Usually portrayed as meek and mild, you were the traveling teenager who birthed God in a stable. You helicopter mommed Jesus into his first miracle. You chose eye contact, not safety, as you watched your son brutally die. There were so many opportunities to segue to the easy. You chose the hardest way. You were instinctively courageous. You always stayed. Bravest one. Mary. I often imagine what it would have been like to be with you that night. I hope that some kind woman heard your cries and came.
If I Were Your Doula
If I were your doula, I would have come
When the stable owner spoke, pleading
When he heard your deep groaning
When Joseph begged him for a birth woman
If I were your doula, I would have explained
When you were unsure of the unfolding
When the pain encircled
When you peeked and viewed terror in Joseph’s kind eyes
If I were your doula, I would have caressed
When you yelled for your mother
When you begged for release
When you doubted your courage
If I were your doula, I would have dispelled
When the time came for pushing
When you wanted to die
When Joseph’s tears slid streaming
If I were your doula, I would have knelt
When your blood came rushing
When Joseph was praying
When hope entered the world
If I were your doula, I would have aided
When the time came for nursing
When your healing needed tending
When you prepared to begin
If I were your doula I would have sung
When I walked home in the darkness
When the stars were bright shining
When everything changed
Please watch and listen to this beautiful "Labor of Love" by Jill Phillips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m4xY175ZYo
Kourtney Street is a native Texan, turned global nomad thanks to Rich, her husband of 16 years. The Streets joyfully serve together on staff with Cru in Global Digital Strategies. Kourtney’s days start with strong coffee and are infused with life, sports, and laughter via her three sons. She reads voraciously, writes sporadically, and loves with her whole heart. This week she served as a doula at the birth of her first nephew, Ethan James Street. Find her at www.hearditonthestreet.com/kourtney.