Self-sufficiency is an illusion

When his son was born in the bathroom, Joshua Luke Smith encountered the awe-filled reality of birth — and discovered the spiritual power of holy helplessness

My son was born in our bathroom.

It was late morning, and our midwife, Julie, was sitting outside, praying in tongues. The baby was meant to arrive in the birthing pool, but I didn’t fill it in time. I had one job that day – and I didn’t do it.

I didn’t exactly forget; I just couldn’t bring myself to leave the room. The space between contractions wasn’t long enough to make it down the stairs and back. They kept coming – like waves gathering more fury, more pain, more anticipation.