The Day I Lived Again
by Oliver Carlos
On a cold January morning in 1973, my Mom went out for the first time since giving birth to me. I was born around 5 weeks earlier. She went to the UPLB College of Forestry to inquire about some matters. The university’s offices were closed since November of 1972 and she wanted to know if they’re now open. The first semester ended abruptly in September with the declaration of Martial Law. October was the sem break, and there were no classes in November and December.
We were residing at a place called “The Rubber Plantation” in the UPLB Forestry campus. My maternal grandparents had a big residence there that housed their 10 children. All my maternal uncles and aunties, and their spouses, and my cousins used to live together under one roof.
While my mother was away, a hired caretaker or nanny was assigned to watch over me. The caretaker plugged the nipple of a bottle of milk on my mouth while I was lying in my crib. Then an unexpected event happened. I don’t know where she went or what activity she did, but because she left me for some time, I got drowned in the milk I was drinking.
When my Mom arrived home, she got the shock of her life. The house was in panic. She saw me choke-drowned in my milk. My Mom said I was already colored purple. She swore that I was lifeless as I wasn’t breathing. She panicked too. Good thing my Auntie Cora came and instructed my Mom how to resuscitate choke victims.
My Mom prayed so hard to God to give back life to her son. That’s probably the most intense prayer she prayed. She vowed that she would dedicate me to the Lord’s service, if God would just make me live.
Then a miracle happened. I coughed off all the milk that flooded my body, gasped for air, and I was breathing again! My purple skin became flesh-colored and I started my second life.
I heard this story more than a hundred times from my Mom. She attributes my being a believer and servant of Jesus to her vow to God on that fateful January day.
We read many couples in the Bible dedicating their child to God. Childless at first, they prayed to God for a miracle. God would answer their prayers, and the parents would promise to God to make sure their child would be used in his service. Samuel’s parents and Samson’s parents are examples.
In 1 Samuel 1:10–11 (TLB), we see Hannah, Samuel’s mother in desperate prayer:
“She was in deep anguish and was crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: “O Lord of heaven, if you will look down upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you, and he’ll be yours for his entire lifetime”.
Friends, it’s not yet too late to for you to make a sincere declaration to follow the Lord’s ways from now till the end of your time on earth. I’m sure he’s waiting for you to make that decision.
POSTSCRIPT 11–11–21: Today there is a reversal of roles. Please join me in praying for my Mom as she undergoes surgery today to remove a blood clot in her head. Thank you and God bless us all.
