In the Word: Purposefully Planned

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Psalm 139 together. This Psalm is used often (and rightly so) to demonstrate the value of human life, and God’s care for us from even before we were conceived. What can we learn about God’s tender care for us and for our babies from these verses? How does a greater knowledge of these truths offer hope and comfort to us in the midst of grief?

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Purposefully Planned

“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” 
Psalm 139:15-16

READ:

“There is no genetic link. Your son’s diagnosis of Trisomy 13 is just really bad luck.”

I’ll never forget the words of the geneticist as I was trying to process the life-changing news we had received just the week before. As politely as I possibly could, I responded by telling her that we wholeheartedly believed that the child in my womb was created with a purpose. God had a plan for him from the very beginning of time, and we knew there was no “bad luck” involved.

Just a few weeks prior to this day, after receiving the news that our baby was possibly very sick, I posted an ultrasound photo on facebook with Psalm 139 as the caption. This passage would carry me through the weeks leading up to Isaac’s diagnosis, the months awaiting his birth, and the years following his death.

Why do I still find such comfort in these words that David penned so very long ago? They continually serve as a reminder to me that my baby was purposefully planned. Through the pain, the tears, the anxiety, the anger, and all of the other emotions I felt then and still feel today, I can find peace in knowing that Isaac’s life was not a surprise to his Maker.

All throughout Scripture, we are reminded that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. He doesn’t promise that following Him will be easy, but He promises that His plans are good.

 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28

I don’t believe that I will ever fully understand on this side of heaven why losing Isaac was a part of God’s plan. I imagine, dear mommy, that you must feel the same way. Your heart aches for the child you lost, and your arms feel empty as you long for just one hug. You can rest today in the truth that your baby was purposefully planned by the very one that knit him or her together in your womb.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I praise you for your faithfulness, kindness, and generosity in giving us our precious children, even for so brief a time. I praise you for the marvelous creation you knit together inside of our wombs, for breathing life into our children, and for watching over every beat of their hearts. Even though you knew our hope babies wouldn’t be here on this side of eternity with us for very long, you still made them oh so wonderfully—intricately weaving every fiber of their being in Your image. You allowed our children to be one of your “wonderful works” even though they were made for heaven rather than earth. What a beautiful honor, Lord. I praise you, because I am, and my hope baby is, fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works!

REFLECT:

1. How does the truth of Psalm 139:15-16 bring comfort to you?
2. As you reflect on the fact that your child was purposefully planned by God, how

JOURNAL:

Spend some time journaling your thoughts on how resting in the fact that your baby was purposefully planned has brought you hope even through your pain.  

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Kacie lives in Austin, Texas, and is the mommy of three precious daughters on earth and a sweet baby boy in heaven. She loves reading, coffee dates with her husband, Jonathan, and traveling with her family. She is passionate about helping women grow in biblical literacy and theology and is the cohost of the Adorned Podcast. She also blogs at www.kaciehunt.com.

We would be honored to share your story as a Hope Mom on our blog. On Saturdays we feature Hope Moms’ stories in order to showcase God’s faithfulness even in the midst of such deep sorrow. If you would like to have your story shared on our blog for this purpose, learn more and submit here.

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