Longing for a different kind of freedom

The Fourth of July is a time when the world around us celebrates—fireworks light up the sky, families gather for barbecues, and children run freely with sparklers in hand. But for a mother who has lost a baby, the noise of celebration can contrast sharply with the quiet ache of grief.

If this week feels heavy, you are not alone. While the world looks to freedom in one way, you may find yourself longing for a different kind of freedom—the freedom from sorrow, the freedom from the weight of what-ifs, the freedom from feeling like you have to pretend you’re okay when your heart still aches.

But dear mama, there is a deeper freedom available to you. A freedom that grief cannot take away—the freedom of Christ’s love.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17

Because of Jesus, you are free to grieve as long as you need.
You are free to carry the love for your baby without fear that time will erase it.
You are free to feel joy again—without guilt—when your heart is ready.
You are free to rest in the hope that this separation is not forever.

This week, if the celebrations around you feel too loud, find a quiet place with the Lord. Let Him hold your heart. He sees your pain, He knows your love, and He promises that one day, every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4).

And as the fireworks fill the night sky, let them be a reminder—your baby’s life, no matter how brief, was not a quiet flicker but a brilliant light that will never be forgotten.

You are loved. You are seen. And you are never alone. 

Jennie is the Executive Director for Hope Mommies. She and her husband Brian live in Washington State and have four children together— Trenton, Paige who has been in Heaven with Jesus since 2010, Mason, and Cora. If you were to knock on her front door today, you’d find her in something comfortable drinking a hot cup of tea, while trying to figure out how to balance all the things that make up a life. She enjoys spending time in God’s word, fresh flowers, board games with her kids, cooking, and evening walks in her neighborhood. She adores being a new creation in Christ and prays she reflects Him well on this earth.