A Comfort To Me

This is from Rachel's Facebook post this week. I see a strong Godly response to grief. 

"If you had asked us last Monday what this Monday would look like, we would have said that our bathroom would be remodeled, Susannah would be potty trained, our babies would be healthy, and we would be anticipating a healthy first check-up with the midwife next week. None of our plans have worked out the way we thought. But, all of God's plans went exactly as he wanted. "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." Psalm 115:3
"Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?" Lamentations 3:37-38

These verses would not be comforting to us, except that we know that "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

So our babies are sick, our bathroom is torn apart, Susannah isn't potty trained, and the most sad of all, we never get to hold our third baby until we get to heaven. Our hearts are aching, the pain is still strong. At the same time, we are not shaken. God is our refuge and we know that he is in control. No amount of faith, no planning on our part could keep our baby alive. God's plan cannot be thwarted. He is sovereign, and he is good. That is comforting. 

We appreciate the many prayers and kind words we have received so far. Thank you all. As you continue to pray, know that we are still hurting and will always miss our baby, but we are ok, because we are resting in Christ and striving to be occupied with joy."

These words make this mother's heart glad. To know that my children are walking with the Lord is something to rejoice about (2 John 4).  If your children do not walk with God, how can they handle loss? What hope is there in any life without Christ?

The picture above is Rachel's rocking chair that was given to her when she was a baby and a blanket that she and Adrian knitted the day after they found out about their loss. It will always be a tangible thing to hold while she waits to see this precious life.

Rachel and Adrian's sweet baby boy, Josiah, has bronchiolitis and daughter Susannah has battled a head cold. Josiah did not like the breathing treatments until his Grammy gave him one. (Psst, I'm the Grammy.)