Motherhood is the sacred ground. And sometimes it’s not enough to just take off our shoes. Sometimes we lay face down in the dirt of our own endeavors and weep to the God who gave our children to us.
The same God who also takes them away.
It’s sacred when he hands them to us, I know. I was just there with open hands five weeks ago.
But this weekend one of our (in)courage sisters had to give her daughter back. My mouth feels dry as dust at the thought. My throat aches. I am at a loss for words. So my friend, Deidra, lent me the ones below from her post on how we can reach through these screens that divide and do what women have always done with soup and casseroles and offers to fold laundry, clean bathrooms – we love one another in the most run-of-the-mill ways. Perhaps that’s what makes them so sacred.
On Good Friday at 7:15 PM, Heather’s daughter Emma went to be with Jesus. She had been sick, and we had been praying, and our hearts were broken when we got the news that Emma Grace had slipped away.
I know some people just don’t get it. These online friendships. But here you are. Online. And so I think that maybe you will understand me when I tell you I’ve met some of my dearest friends right here.
Like family.
We do life together. We rejoice with each other and we grieve with each other. Across miles. Over oceans. To continents we may never visit. It’s a beautiful thing. Even the grieving becomes beautiful when words of comfort travel miles to reach the heart of one whose tears are all they have to give.
You might already know Heather. Maybe you follow her blog, Especially Heather. Maybe you’ve read her posts at (in)courage. Perhaps you’d been praying for Emma, too. Maybe you heard the news and dropped to your knees right along with the women who write for (in)courage. We shared our grief in a flurry of emails that mixed up our weeping and our sadness with hope and with whispers of prayer.
And maybe – like us – you wonder how you can help.
The amazing people at DaySpring have offered to sponsor a card basket for Heather and her family. We’d love it if you’d participate. You don’t have to know Heather. You don’t have to follow her blog, or mine, or anyone’s. You just have to want to help…to reach out to a mother who has lost a child.
Because DaySpring is sponsoring the card basket, you can send a card to Heather at absolutely no cost to you. DaySpring will gather up all of the cards created for Heather, package them beautifully in a basket, and deliver the card basket to Heather’s home.
To create a card for Heather’s family, click here, or use the link at the end of this post. When you checkout, use HEATHER as your coupon code, and DaySpring will pick up the tab. We’ll accept cards until midnight on Saturday, and I’m sure Heather would appreciate your prayers.
Link to Heather’s DaySpring card basket:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.
There are no words. I cannot imagine. I lost my baby over this Easter weekend (12 weeks pregnant) and although I am grieving my loss, at the same time I cannot imagine losing a child who was out of my womb. Although I do not know this family, I was devastated when I read this news, and will continue to pray for them. Such a heartbreaking thing to go through… I’m off to send my card now. Thank you for posting.
Ruth,
Five years ago I experienced a pregnancy loss too. I am sending up prayers on your behalf, that He will comfort you. Your sweet baby is with Jesus and a very real loss. Grieve, take your time, be gentle on yourself, cry, talk and be comforted by Him for He has a plan. {hugs}
Thank you, Jenn!
My eyes are stinging. I haven’t read Heather’s blog, but no one should bury their child. I know it happens more than we realize, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
Thank you for helping us love.
Sent a card. Thanks for the info!
I felt that…catch…in my throat as I read this post….
That deep ache from such a place beyond tears.
I’m so so sorry.
Thank you for sharing. I sent a card.
I lost a little one in a miscarriage. It was painful and truly the loss of a child. But how much more it must hurt to have had your little one for 10 years and grow to love them so much more, then to lose them. Praise the Lord that He has a reason and a plan.
Weeping and praying for her and her family today!
Such sorrow and loss. How to cling to the belief, the hope, the trust of God’s goodness, in the midst of horrific pain?
Jesus, Jesus! Help us!
Weeping with & for Heather & the family.
Teri
This post grieves my heart beyond what my words can express. This is one of the most awful hurts to endure. It seems so backwards…we shouldn’t be burying our babies. It is them that should bury us some day. We can’t understand how He allows such things. The only thing that brought me comfort as I buried my babies was realizing that no harm could ever come to them again. They were safe for eternity in the arms of Jesus….but I so wanted them in my own arms. :(
I am praying for Heather, her family, and the others of you here that have lost children. Some day our hearts will be made whole again in the land of no more pain, no more tears, no more death…only joy.