Internet Cafe

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Hope

I opened my front door this week to a devastating sight. A young couple that my husband and I had ministered to on many occasions was standing there completely distraught. I could see it immediately. Their faces were heavy with pain and it scared me. I just said, “what?!...what?!”

Then she fell into my arms and told me that she had lost her baby at 22 weeks in her pregnancy. They came in and we spent some time talking and praying.

The first question we all ask at times like this is “why?” I truly don’t know “why.” Aside from the fact that we live in a fallen world with pain and heartache, I can’t answer this question. We may never know why.

I told them not to hold back the tears though, I told them to let themselves grieve, they had lost a son. Grieving is a necessary and healthy part of life and death.

1 Peter 1:6-7
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while

you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
7 These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold,

which perishes even though refined by fire-
may be proved genuine and may result in praise,
glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
NIV


But, I encouraged them to grieve with hope.
The Greek word in the New Testament for hope is the “expectation of good.”

It does not mean that we are feeling good at the time, but that we have the expectation that God will bring about good in our lives.

In the Old Testament in means words like safety, trust, security and refuge.
We don’t understand all the trials and heartache, but the Lord promises to walk with us through every one.

I can say with surety that every trial and every bit of grief I have felt has drawn me closer to His heart. I desperately need Him in times of pain and He has never failed to bring me comfort.

As she fell sobbing into my arms for comfort, I know that the Lord also had His arms wrapped around her. He is the one who will heal this pain. They will never forget this, but the sting of pain will subside.

I don’t patronize anyone by saying that I know how it feels to lose a child. I can’t even imagine. But I have known pain, and I know that our God is the one that promises to heal our broken hearts. Time may help, but only God can heal.

Ps 34:18
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those who are crushed in spirit.
NLT


I know that many of you have lost dear children and I pray that you walk in healing and hope.

Lord, I pray that you would hold close every mother and father that has lost a child. Let them sense Your loving arms wrapped around them. Let them be at peace throughout their day and as they lie down in the evening to rest. Oh Father, bring hope to the hurting arms of the mother who longs for a child. For the ones they have lost and the ones they have hoped to hold.
In the precious Name of Jesus,
Amen




Photobucket


Labels: ,

15 Comments:

Blogger Missy said...

Sue, what a blessing to them that in the midst of their pain you and your husband were the arms of Christ for them.

April 9, 2008 at 11:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Beautiful. Thank you. As a mom who has lost 4, Thank you for letting this woman and her husband cry. For not telling them that it was "God's Plan" or that they would "have more" or things like that. Those are the words that hurt. Thank you for telling them to look to Jesus, to grieve, and that hope is around the corner. You never forget those babies, no matter how far along in pregnancy you were. Thank you for being there for this woman. For being that shoulder, and sympathetic ear.

Thank you.

April 10, 2008 at 4:33 AM  
Blogger Tori Leslie said...

Wow, how special to be used so.
I enjoyed this post!

April 10, 2008 at 4:39 AM  
Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

This is wonderful. So glad you were there to minister to them, and to give them permission to grieve.

April 10, 2008 at 7:23 AM  
Blogger Monkey Giggles said...

Sue, thank you this. It is a reminder to be ready to be used of God. You never know what is on the other side of the door.

April 10, 2008 at 8:19 AM  
Blogger windycindy said...

How nice that they thought of you for their comfort! Isn't it nice to be needed?! God bless us everyone! Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

April 10, 2008 at 11:56 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

What a precious gift you gave to that sweet couple.

I cannot imagine the grief they are experiencing, but I believe there will be beauty out of these ashes.

Have a blessed day!
Julie

April 10, 2008 at 12:05 PM  
Blogger Julie said...

What a precious gift you gave to that sweet couple.

I cannot imagine the grief they are experiencing, but I believe there will be beauty out of these ashes.

Have a blessed day!
Julie

April 10, 2008 at 12:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HOPE - “expectation of good.”

You've ministered hope to US as well as the friends who showed up at your door. I, for one, was in need of it today. Thank you Sue for the gentle reminder that God does not disappear when our hearts ache. He is there. He is.

April 10, 2008 at 12:19 PM  
Blogger Shaun and Holly said...

Many years ago (9 to be exact) I lost a baby due to an Ectopic pregnancy. God was faithful to bring a dear friend into my life to share in my sorrow and also to encourage me as God healed my heart. I am thankful that they had you to go to and be comforted. It does help...

April 10, 2008 at 12:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sure God led them to you for the hope they needed to hear.

April 10, 2008 at 2:57 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

You are a true blessing.

April 10, 2008 at 3:06 PM  
Blogger lori said...

Sue, THANK GOD they had you and your husband to run to....I've never lost a baby, but not being able to have on for so long was a monthly greiving that I'll never forget. I see so clearly NOW what God was doing in those difficult days...HE gave me hope and when I look back, He used my brokenheartedness to rescue me....as only HE could do....

I've got tears in my eyes as I type this...grieve with hope..and praying that God continue to fill them with words that will comfort and heal and provide hope....

peace and hugs,
lori

April 10, 2008 at 6:47 PM  
Blogger Aunt Angie said...

Sue---what a minister in their time of need God enabled you to be. I have never lost a baby, though as we stood beside my husband's brother and his wife as they laid to rest their full term stillborn infant son--I found it so hard to understand. God was strength for them in their time of need.
You have written such an amazing devotion here. God bless you for the encouragement you are through this and through your friendship to many that you are for Him.

April 10, 2008 at 8:29 PM  
Blogger Paula said...

Thanks, Sue for sharing that story. You are right, we don't know why. we just have to trust that He will always be with us during those devasting times.

April 11, 2008 at 11:53 PM  

Post a Comment

It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home