More than anything else, Leah and Chris Dubree wanted a child. They dreamed of growing their family and bringing a precious new life into the world. In April 2006, after three years of trying to conceive, they learned that Chris would soon be deployed to Iraq, so they decided to put their plans for expanding their family on hold until he returned. God had other plans.
On June 7, 2006, Chris was sitting in his office when the phone rang.
“Criminal Law South Specialist Dubree speaking, how may I help you sir or ma’am?” he answered.
“Hi Daddy,” Leah said with a smile.
Though this timing wasn’t what they had planned, Chris was ecstatic.
“I lost all control of myself. I looked like a little kid who had just found his missing, most favorite toy in the whole world,” said Chris. “I knew that this was a sign from God. He had placed me on a path that may not bring me home, so he wanted to fulfill our wish of being parents.”
By the time the Dubrees discovered they were expecting, the baby was seven weeks along which meant that the little life was already growing by the time Chris and Leah decided to stop trying until after deployment.
“I had so many mixed emotions about this because my husband was leaving and would miss so much,” said Leah.
On August 23, Chris headed for Iraq. “I kept as close a contact as I could throughout the pregnancy. Leah sent LOTS of pictures for me to see how she was growing with our miracle inside growing as well,” he said.
Chris and Leah did not choose for Leah to be alone for her pregnancy. But they recognized that if this was God’s plan for them, then he must also have a plan to help them through it. God often interrupts our lives with unplanned circumstances. However, if we look closely, even trials can be avenues of God’s blessing.
Lord, show me the blessings you have in store for me through the situations I did not choose.
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)