Losing a Child

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

 - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Yesterday was a beautiful day. I watched God use past hurt of one to encourage another. It was a normal day when I felt the prompting of the the Lord to send a scripture verse to an old friend, one I hadn't talk to in a while. Her last Facebook post I had seen was a pregnancy photo shoot picture.  

Her text back was of a picture of a tombstone with her little one's name on it. I immediately picked up the phone and called her to talk. She began to unravel the crazy she experienced as she lost her baby, while in labor, when the cord got caught around her neck and was born stillborn. 

My heart broke. I knew I had no words to share that I understood what she was going through. I just listened and let her talk.  Never saying the daunting words, " I know how you feel." Those words that can be upsetting, to those hurting, unless you have been in their shoes. Many times we say those idle words just to say something because the situation is uncomfortable.

While we spoke, the Lord brought to mind another friend, Jacky, who had gone through a similar loss just a year ago. One who started a support group, wanting to share and encourage others. One who had grieved, was still grieving, but was on the other side now ready to share with others her "crazy."

As soon as we were off the phone, I called Jacky. She promised to contact my other friend and share her story and how far God had brought her. She was thrilled to know that God was using her experience to encourage another. As we spoke for a few moments, Jacky shared all the God-stories that had occurred throughout her last year of grief. It was so cool to hear of lives changed, a baby's life that was saved (mom thinking of abortion before reading Jacky's blog), and how much she had grown spiritually from this trial. It was truly beautiful. 

I know that as these two ladies connect, HE will be glorified, both will be encouraged, and lives will be changed. Transparency leads to ministry. This is such a beautiful example of how HE uses trials for good. 

If you would like to read Jacky's blog of her experience and 

http://jpandjacky.com/?cat=5

 

Jacky has used her loss and grief to encourage others. A beautiful testimony of the Christian life. 

Let them Squeal!

Marie Antoinette is remembered for her quote, “Let them eat cake!” I have adjusted the quote to “Let them squeal!”

If you think squealing is only for pigs…you are wrong!  Hope (at 15 years old) has always been our “squealer.”  No she isn’t the family tattletale.  Rather, she has been my child that to take her outside, to a park, or down a slide…she squealed.  She squeals when she sees a friend or goes fast on her bike.  She squealed when we went to Disney World or jumped in a pool.  You get the picture?

This weekend proved no exception. Hope won the grand prize drawing at an event we attended in May.  It was a two-night stay at any Marriott in the continental United States.  (I should mention, she squealed when they called her number!) She chose to redeem it by asking one friend to celebrate her birthday in Marco Island.

From our entrance in the driveway of the Marriott the squealing began! She squealed with her friend as we entered their lobby with its a-frame exposed beamed ceiling.   There was only a second of a notion to stop the girls from squealing as we drove in.  However, God gave me a smile and the thought, “What if you could enjoy life the way Hope does?”

I made it my goal, that her every squeal of the weekend would be my reminder to smile and enjoy!  Oh how we did! From the breakfast buffet with its homemade French toast, to the pool with the slide…Hope squealed and I smiled. 

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With a fifteen year old who is as tall as me, people would expect a certain level of maturity. But with every squeal I just smiled. I can’t even express how much I relaxed and enjoyed her joy.  I loved watching her have fun.  Swimming in the different pools, walking to the Gulf, lying in the hammock, eating ice cream with an illegal amount of sprinkles.  She squealed and I smiled. 

Life is so short girls.  God is good to let me enjoy a 15 year-old squealer.  Each of your children are enjoying life at their level. Whether it’s your little man pushing cars complete with “Vrooming” sounds, or your little princesses asking you to join their tea parties.  Will you make it your goal to join them?

Lay on your tummy and push a matchbox car. Do a cannon ball into the pool. Snuggle up and watch a DVD while eating popcorn (and let M&M’s melt in the bag.)  Join your children Mommas!  Join their perception of life! Let them squeal! You could even, "Let them eat cake!"

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                      James 4: 14 “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? 

                    Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone.” ELT