God’s Good Gift
It's a scene that I’ll replay in my mind for the rest of my life. Sitting on the floor of our white tub, watching clots of burgundy run down my legs and past my feet. Tears poured down my cheeks, becoming one with the water as it drowned out the sounds of my guttural wailing. It’s a surreal feeling; watching life leave your body and run into the drain. I have lived this memory twice. It feels sacrilegious of sorts. Insensitive and cold. To carry life but instead of giving my babies a proper goodbye, I watched pieces of the life that was once inside of me run into the ...
Hymns of Hope: Joy to the World
When it seems as though the whole world is intent on joyful celebrations, Christmas movie marathons, winter wonderlands, and gift exchanges, it can be hard to imagine how your grief fits into all of the merriment around you. But one thing we often forget in all of the holiday bustle is that the Christmas story is intertwined with sorrow. God's people had endured years of oppression and hardship and 400 years of silence from God. They were under Roman occupation and longed for the coming of the Messiah that had been promised long ago. Jesus was coming to a burdened, ...
Christmas Day – Reign
“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
Our sovereign God preordained the birth of a Savior to a virgin; He has preordained your first breath; and He has preordained the precious—yet short—life of your child.
Today, you will mourn the missing piece of your heart. You, loved one, desire to hear those tiny feet pad to your room bright and early, long to listen to the miniature voice praise ...
Christmas Eve – Rain
“… the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.’”
Luke 1:27-31
Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, our Savior. She was called to carry, birth, and mother the Messiah. What a weighty responsibi...
Through the Waiting
Waiting. Are you feeling the pains of waiting too?
Life is incomplete because we lost the presence of God in the garden. We don’t know Him as He so wants to be known by us. He created us for that purpose, to live our lives with and unto Him. I adore that God walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day. Oh, can you imagine? The God of all walking with His people, fellowshipping with them. Oh, how could have Adam and Eve desired more than that?
But they were pulled away by the evil one. They were pulled away by desires stirred in their own hearts. My friends, God ...
Hymns of Hope: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Written in 1849 by Edmund Sears, the words of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is one of the few Christmas hymns that does not actually mention the birth of Christ. Instead, this song focuses on the good news that the angels brought that first Christmas morn. After appearing to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, the angels sang of the glory of God and the peace that is ours in Christ. In the fields that night, the song of the angels rang out, piercing the darkness and declaring the arrival of the long-awaited Savior. Hope had come at last.
It came upon a midnight ...
Megan’s Story
Andy and I were surprised to find I was pregnant shortly after our sixth wedding anniversary, as I completed my third year of medical school. We had planned to wait to start a family until after I completed residency so I could stay home part time. God apparently had different plans! I initially struggled with feeling excited due to the unanticipated timing and intense nausea and vomiting which lasted into the third trimester. But eventually, I adored being pregnant with our active baby.
I developed cholestasis of pregnancy at 33 weeks, and in the course of extra ...
Moria’s Retreat Experience
75 moms traveled from all over the world to come to the Hope Mommies retreat — A Song In The Night. 75 moms came here with broken hearts in search of connecting with other moms who have walked a similar journey. It was a spirit-filled weekend of healing, worship, prayer, and intimacy.
I listened to so many mothers share stories of their babies in heaven. I’ve seen their photos, I’ve heard their names, and I’ve honored their stories. I, also, shared my son Noah’s story. I’ve shared his photo, I’ve said his name, and I’ve honored his story.
At first, I ...
Beyond the Grave
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
-Psalm 16:10
A cool breeze blew this morning as I sat on my back porch with a friend and listened to her pour her heart out about her adult children and the trials they are experiencing. Our mama hearts hurt together but we encouraged each other to keep trusting the Lord and talked about His faithfulness even in the trials.
As a Hope Mommy, I have often been told to rejoice because my child is in heaven.
And I do.
And I hurt because my child is not with me here on earth. I ...
My Song in the Night
Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next few weeks, we will be meditating on Psalm 77 together. As we study these truths together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God's Word each week with us!
“I consider the days of old, the years long ago.” Psalm 77:5
READ:
“Yesterday everything was perfect, everything was fine…” The abruptness of trauma can leave us reeling. There ...
