The first time I laid my eyes on my daughter Sophie, I was stunned. So sublime was her beauty that I couldn’t believe that she was mine. Also stunned, but for a completely different reason, was my wife Jane. We had planned for three children, and Sophie being the third, this meant that she would never have a son.

Boys are especially treasured in our part of Africa. Woe unto you if you have none. And immediately after Jane left hospital, she slipped into post-partum depression. She became irritable and moody, and seemed shockingly disinterested in her new-born. I dug deep to support her, but her countenance was deceptively warm and re-assuring one moment, then distant and prickly in the next. And then one evening I found a suicide note.

Post-partum depression can be deadly. But Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10 NKJV). He spent a good percentage of His ministry healing people and casting out unclean spirits from them. “The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” [Is.53:5 NKJV].

Today, joy and laughter has returned to my home. My wife has been set free and is happy because—in His perfect time—the Son of righteousness shone on her, with healing in His wings (Malachi.4:2).  —Submitted by Willie, Kenya