Encouragement for October 15

To my fellow Hope Mommy on October 15^th—

I see your pain and loss, and I want you to know you’re not alone. I remember my first Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day being only a week after my baby was born into heaven. It felt painfully ironic, yet I was grateful for another way to share about her—to be seen and understood in my grief. I am so sorry this is now your bittersweet day too. I find it bitter because it is still a reminder of what is missing in this life: an empty space in our family unit, and a missed chance to mother a child here on earth. Yet it still remains somewhat sweet because it is our day to share about this special piece of our hearts that often feels invisible in the world. I don’t mean it is a day to rejoice over our loss or what is missing, but might I say, it is a celebration to recognize what is often unrecognized even by ourselves. 

Neither this day, nor being a Hope Mommy, define us entirely, yet it is a reminder of the unique platform God gives us year-round to share how faithful He is in the midst of a fallen world. With that, I encourage you to step up to this podium with me, whether it is in a private or public setting, written or verbal, today or a year from now, and share God’s story of your little one(s), your grief, and His redemption of it all. 

I am convinced that when we share about His comfort and provision in our loss, it displays just how intimately He cares for us all.

• Our candidness about our child’s existence proclaims the sanctity that all life has at any stage of development, and therefore is a declaration of the Creator that knits each life with purpose.
• Our vulnerability about the struggle of loss provides strength to the woman walking similar steps and comforts her uniquely.
• Our ability to connect to her grows healthy friendship and accountability. Our visible surrender to God’s sovereignty gives credence to the Holy Spirit’s power to humble and sustain.
• Our observable trust through this most difficult time exclaims the trustworthiness of our Lord, and our faith reveals His inability to forsake His promises.
• Our relentless love for our hope child(ren) demonstrates to society just a fraction of the love our heavenly Father has for each one of His own.
• Our honesty of wrestling in our own suffering points to the day we long for—when suffering will be no more.
• Finally, our courage in sharing our story shows all that while death may still reign on earth, there is still abounding hope in the One who resurrected. 

My friends, what if we looked at this day of recognition in a new way this year? Instead of a day to feel self-pity for what is gone, or a way to gain attention, let us use this opportunity to identify and exclaim what God has done through an untimely death to birth new purpose. This is where I see our motherhood flourishing most; where we intended to be training up a little one, we are instead being sanctified ourselves and leading others to the Father. October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day—how will you celebrate?

Lord, I come before You in awe that You have cared about each one of us so uniquely. You capture each one of our tears shed over our losses. You are Comforter, Healer, Sustainer, and still King of Kings, never leaving Your throne. I thank You for the community of Hope Mommies and that You don’t make us walk this path alone. I pray for Your lead in each one of our walks toward sharing the story that You’ve trusted us with. I pray You’d give us courage, opportunity, and discernment in what to say, how, and when. Most of all, I pray we each surrender this day and all of our days to You, Lord. Amen. 

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In honor of the babies who are now with the Lord
and the parents who so desperately long to see them again,
we invite you to join us as we acknowledge the
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day on the 15th of October.

THIS YEAR WE ARE OFFERING A T-SHIRT.
SALES WILL BE SEPT. 1 – OCT. 5, 2019.

Purchase a t-shirt for yourself, and invite your friends and family to get one too. All proceeds from t-shirt donations go towards scholarships to our annual retreat. When you buy a t-shirt, you are giving another Hope Mom the opportunity to experience hope and healing. Click here to order yours.)

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I am married to Justin and Hope Mommy to Anna Joy. We live in sunny south Florida where I love reading, writing, teaching, and just being with family & friends! I work in the hospital as a RN, and humbly serve as volunteer Nurse Manager at our local pregnancy resource center, Care Net. My personal ministry passions include leading women to deeper understanding of Jesus’ truth through their marriage struggles, sexuality, and miscarriage.

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