He Draws Near: Carly’s Experience
Truth be told, it is impossible for me to think of our Lydia, the path we walked for her delivery, and her funeral without also thinking of the kindness and goodness of God. While it is true that this time is full of sorrow and pain, it is also full of grace. The Lord most certainly drew near to us in our time of desperate need, once again proving His faithfulness. I think, in times of sorrow, that God comforts us in many different ways. In my time of sorrow, He comforted me through His Word, through our family in Christ, and even in the smallest details like purple blooming trees.
As we sat in the hospital room, waiting for my labor to begin. I opened my Bible to read the next passage in my Bible reading plan that I had been following this year. I opened up to John 11. If you are unfamiliar with this chapter, it is the one where Jesus weeps over the death of Lazarus. And as I sat weeping over our daughter, Jesus drew near to me. He reminded me that He not only knew my pain, but He felt it also. And in His mercy, that was not the only comfort of this particular passage. In John 11, I felt the empathy of Christ, and I was also reminded of the hope of Christ.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:25
As I sat in the hospital, this was the truth that my soul needed to remember: that in Christ we have eternal life. I needed to remember that although I was saying goodbye to my daughter before I could even say hello, I did not need to be overcome by the sorrow of death. Jesus, my Savior, conquered death. Lydia has life in heaven with Christ, and by His grace I will also!
God’s Word is powerful. Our souls need it on our saddest day and on our happiest. When we draw near to God through His word, He meets us there and draws near to us.
The week Lydia died was also the week that the COVID-19 pandemic began to close our community. And while our church building was closed, no pandemic can shut down the body of Christ. In the days after Lydia died, we were blown away by how people were able to draw near without physically being near. We received countless prayers, cards, gifts ,and meals, and there was not a day that we felt alone. Even after our family had left following Lydia’s funeral, we never felt alone. The body of Christ is unique in the way it helps to bear each others’ burdens. God surely reminded us of His nearness by showing us that, no matter the circumstances around us, the body of Christ always comes together.
In His sovereignty, God even orchestrated through the pandemic, that my husband would be able to work from home following Lydia’s death. Because of this, we were able to walk through the days and weeks after Lydia’s death together, as a family. God has truly cared for us and reminded us of His presence every single day. This has made my heart overflow with thanksgiving. Only God can take a circumstance filled with sorrow, pain and grief and turn it into a reminder of His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness.
I would also like to mention how God comforted us even in the smallest details of the circumstances surrounding Lydia’s death. In the biblical account of Lydia (Acts 16:13-15), it is noted that she was a “seller of purple goods.” We had even unknowingly chosen the color purple for Lydia’s nursery. We may not have had the chance to make a nursery for her, but on the day of her graveside funeral, the trees overlooking her service were full of purple blooms. That was a tangible reminder of His nearness that God gave me that day. He cares for my soul, and even in the smallest details He displays His majesty, glory, and power.
There are countless other ways that God has drawn near to us in our grief, and each one points us to our hope in Jesus Christ. It is because of Christ, His death and resurrection, that we can rejoice even in the midst of our suffering. And on days when I do not feel like rejoicing, all I need to do is open His Word and reflect on all that He has done.
- Carly Tweito
Hope Mom to Lydia Alice
My husband Josh and I live in South Carolina. We have three sons on earth and one daughter in heaven. I love spending time with my family, warm weather, coke zero, and cooking.
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.
Got something to say?