In 2010, Michael and Kelly Yudt were thrilled to be expecting their second baby. But unfortunately, their excitement turned to concern when they received a call from their OB/GYN with the results of their 20-week-scan. On the phone, the couple was informed that their son had a one-centimeter cyst at the base of his brain.
According to the National Institute of Health, intracranial cysts discovered during prenatal screenings are central nervous system malformations involving different brain regions; and sometimes they are indicators of other fetal abnormalities.
Initially, the couple was shocked and devastated; but decided to reach out to friends and family for prayer that their son would be healed. Then two days later the couple visited a specialist who was supposed to give them a more detailed ultrasound; however, something miraculously happened. Michael said, “During this appointment, we experienced what seemed like an eternity of silence. It was finally broken by the ultrasound tech, and eventually the doctor, who informed us that they could not find a cyst.”
Michael shared more about their experience in a blog post on CareNet.org. He said, “There are only two possibilities that they could draw from the experience: either that the first ultrasound was a mistake or God healed our son. “My wife and I truly believe God chose to heal Joshua and for that, we are eternally grateful.”
Additionally, Michael shared about a friend who questioned him about abortion after their son’s cyst was discovered.
He said, “While it is true we had people praying for us, I cannot forget a conversation I had with a friend in our neighborhood. After we learned about Joshua’s cyst and before learning that the cyst was no longer there, this friend asked me what we were going to do about the situation. I was somewhat caught off guard by this question. It took me a moment to realize what she was really asking. Given previous conversations I had with her about the life issue, it become clear to me that what she was really asking was, “Are you going to have an abortion?”
CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!
He continued, “For my wife and me, this was never even a question, let alone a choice on the table. We were committed to the life of Joshua, regardless of whether or not he had a cyst (and regardless of the type of cyst it may have been). I assured my friend that we were blessed to be expecting another child and that while the circumstances were challenging, we were in no way dampened in our enthusiasm for the life that Kelly was carrying inside of her.”
Michael concluded, “That life is now four years old and his name is Joshua Alan. You see, in speaking to my neighbor that day, God reminded me of something. Too often, our culture can drift to a mindset that discards the value of life because it doesn’t match our hopes, our expectations, or our timing…. It’s clear from God’s word that He values all life and does not make a distinction between lives that are more or less worthy of protection. And neither should we.”
