When Kacy Harris found out she was expecting a child, the whole family was excited. They began making plans, shopping for clothes, looking for baby bedding – all the things you love to do when you are anticipating a baby. But then they received a phone call with news that their baby might have a genetic disorder that would almost certainly mean a very short lifespan.
“I got a call from the nurse and she said some of my numbers had come back showing a risk for the baby having something called Trisomy 18. She said it was only a 1 in 5 chance, but I kind of knew in my heart. God put it there, that this is what we would be dealing with.”
Within a couple of weeks, another call from the nurse confirmed that Kacy’s baby did have Trisomy 18. The genetic disorder often causes heart defects, and reduces life expectancy. Only about 12% of babies with Trisomy 18 survive the first year.
“It knocked us off our feet. It was almost like feeling exhaustion, wondering what do I do? I didn’t even have the energy to think. I felt helpless. We knew we needed to take some time to recoup, and figure out how we were going to handle this. ”
Although Kacy had grown up in a Christian home, she says her relationship with God had become stale. She did devotions and read her Bible, but it was more about checking something off her list. However, in the midst of this heartbreaking news Kacy felt God leading her to dig into her Bible. Every day, all day long, her Bible was open on her kitchen table.
“I had never been like that before, and it was a good feeling. All of a sudden, it felt like God directed me where to read, verse upon verse.”
One of the first He led her to was Isaiah 41:10,
“Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you , and I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Kacy felt like God came right beside her and walked her through the pregnancy. She had been a Christian for more than 30 years, but this was the first time she felt Him next to her, and it was powerful. As she dug deep into God’s word, He gave her the strength for each day, including the day her baby was born.
Hear Kacy’s powerful story in Chapter 13 of Epic.