Hope for the Holidays {Give Hope}

As the holidays approach and we begin to unpack and display all the subtle reminders of our sweet precious babies that aren’t with us, we can easily sink into sadness. This time of year is full of reminders and moments that make us stop and wonder what life would look like with our precious little ones. But, amidst all the heartache, we can have hope; a hope in a future because of our salvation through Jesus Christ. Our hope does not rest in things of this world, but in our eternal inheritance in heaven.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ form the dead, to an inheritance that is undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.”
-1 Peter 1:3-4

We received my son’s diagnosis just before Thanksgiving two years ago. It left a heavy cloud over all the festivities. I felt like my joy was sucked out of me. We placed a small stocking on the mantle for him knowing that this might very well be the only Christmas we had with him alive and well inside my womb.

Not long after Christmas, I felt like God spoke to me, gently telling me that it was not His plan to heal my son on this side of Heaven. It was then that my prayer for his tiny life changed. I began praying that his life would have a huge impact; that his short life would touch others and that God would use our story to show His glory.

Sweet sister, as you look back at your story, try to trace the hand of God: God drawing you near to himself, God being present with you and comforting your aching soul, God revealing Himself through scripture or people around you at just the right time. How can you use your suffering to glorify God? As you begin to recognize His hand in all the details of your life, you can praise Him for His faithfulness.

“With all my heart I will praise you, O LORD my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.”
-Psalm 86: 12-13

When we, as believers, face trials or are grieving, the world will take notice. They notice that despite our ugly circumstances and broken hearts, we can still have joy and hope. We have a hope inside us that this broken world desperately needs to know. How can we, as grieving mothers, share our hope and joy with the world?

Share your testimony – Talk (or write) to others about what God has done for you. In the midst of tragedy how has God been your Redeemer and Rock? You have a powerful testimony that will bless others and glorify the Most High.

Random acts of kindness – As a way to share your story and honor your sweet child(ren) commit to doing random acts of kindness this season. Your acts of love and kindness are evidence of the living hope inside you.

Adopt a Child for Christmas – We miss out on buying all the fun toys and clothes for our children this year, but perhaps you could turn it into a blessing for someone else. Seek out a local charity or a church that serves families or children in your area and donate gifts that you would have bought for your child.

Love on others who are hurting – I know one of the most painful parts of grieving is feeling like the rest of the world forgot about you and your baby. Turn that hurt into something beautiful by checking up on others that are grieving. Send them a note to let them know that you remember and that you are praying for them. 

Host a Hope Box gathering – plan a fun evening with friends and family and put together Hope Boxes for other moms who will experience the heartache of losing a child. Pray over the boxes and include scripture that comforted you during the first few months after your loss.

These are just a few ideas of how you can shine your light in a dark world this holiday season but the possibilities are endless. Ask God to show you where He wants you to glorify His name.

The same stocking adorned our mantle last year and it was a painful, yet beautiful, reminder that our son was here for a short while and has forever changed our hearts. However, I want his memory to be something bigger than a few photographs and a Christmas stocking. I want his life (and mine) to glorify the Heavenly Father for eternity.

Sweet sister, the grief from losing your child was and is heavy, but choose to turn your ashes into something beautiful this Christmas and for the years to come. Allow God to use your story in a far bigger way than you could ever imagine and give hope to a broken world.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
-2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

Megan Kelley is married to Jake and the mother to six babies. Her first child she lost to miscarriage in September of 2009. She then had two children, Hunter who is five years old and Preston who will be three very soon. After Preston, she lost her next two to miscarriage in March and August of 2014. A month later, she found out she was pregnant with her son, Thatcher, who was diagnosed with Edwards Syndrome. He went to his heavenly home shortly after he was born on April 17, 2015. She loves painting, gardening, cooking, reading, and playing with her kids at the park.