Spiritual Doula: From Death to Life

A dear friend recently told me she had the privilege of standing backstage at our church as several precious souls — young and old — were preparing to be baptized. She said, “I felt like a spiritual doula… standing witness as they passed from death to life.”

Her words stirred something deep in me. I’ve been there too… but in a different way.

I was only a young girl when I walked into my bedroom and saw my daddy lying on my bed, his face pale and still. “Daddy, are you okay?” I asked. He looked up and said, “Yes, baby, I’m just resting.”

Moments later, he slipped into eternal rest. I didn’t know it then, but I was his spiritual midwife — his gentle escort from earth to glory.

I held my sister’s hand when she took her final breath. I was there for a friend in Christ when she closed her eyes for the last time. And I stood beside my dear husband in his final moments, whispering through my tears, “Push, baby, push… go home.” And just like that, he did. AND, I was there when my precious mother-in-law breathed her last breaths on this earth.

These sacred moments weren’t just goodbyes. They were holy transitions –from this world into the arms of Jesus. I was a spiritual doula for each of them. And now? I want to be that midwife not just for those on their way to heaven, but for those still here –longing for hope, for truth, for Jesus.

To stand with someone when they surrender their life to Christ — to witness them rise up out of the waters of baptism into newness of life? That’s the miracle of resurrection power — and we get to be part of it.

Every day, we can be spiritual doulas — helping others find their way from despair to hope, from brokenness to healing, from death to life.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” – Ephesians 5:8

We need to be spiritual doulas for others. We need to be willing to walk alongside others in their darkest, hardest, messiest hours, so that something beautiful and blessed and sacred can come out on the other side.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” (Hebrews 10:24)

Oh Lord, help us to be guides, witnesses, midwives for Your glory — helping others be born again into life everlasting!

My heart and hands are raised — to accept this mission! Will you join me in being a spiritual doula for those God puts in your life?