Made for a Different Land: In Honor of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day

“they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one”
Hebrews 11:16a (NIV)

With Hebrews 11:16 coming to mind, I uttered the following words in the hospital room after the stillbirth of my first child: “She was made for a different land.” Soon, we announced the death of our child instead of her birth, and the same words were written across the title of our blog post. As the years have gone by, this is the phrase I have written on balloons released in memory of my daughter. And most recently, “Made for a Different Land” is the title of a forthcoming collaborative book written by women in the Hope Mommies community.* So, these have been significant thematic words in my thoughts and life for the last five years—right up to the present day.

I think I have carried them so closely with me because of the hope they continue to impart to my soul: First, “She was made”—she was! God made my daughter, and I thank Him that He did. Her existence was an act of God, full of meaning because divine hands formed her. She grew within me—she would not breathe outside of the womb or ever take steps on this earth. But she was made here—and I owe that joy and the treasure of calling her my daughter to the Lord, her Maker. Second, “She was made for”—she was made to serve the purposes of an almighty God. To me, “for” expresses purpose regarding my daughter’s life because of the God who knew every one of her days, in utero, before even one came to be. And her life, days, and existence—though not what I originally expected—were for a reason. They were to serve the plan God had set—purposes of His glory that I will see and deeply enjoy in the fullness of eternity. And third, her purpose involved being made “for a different land.” Specifically, there has been good reason for her not being made to stay on earth for very long, but being made to go quickly to glory. And because I have the hope that God ordained her life to bypass much of what is here, I also have hope that He set this limit for her earthly days for a reason that will prove to serve Him best.

She was made; she is a treasure to me with indisputable value because of her divine Maker. She was made for a sovereign King, for reasons worthy because of who He is. And her purpose involves her having gone quickly to a different land in order to best fulfill His calling on her life. So, every time I think or say these words—“Made for a Different Land”—I experience all over again that there is an intense, beautiful hope beyond the brevity of these earthly days that cannot be compressed into words. Though I do not know the full reasons for the brevity of her days, I am proud as her mother that she has fulfilled God’s great calling in her earthly life. Though she has been spared much of the pain and sorrow of this life—especially spared the worst sorrow of choosing to sin against her Maker—I also do not think her calling was entirely easy. She was called to so helplessly pass away in the womb without her own mother being able to rescue her. My dear girl! How I would have helped if I could have! And yet, hers is a calling that serves the glorious purposes of an almighty God; this I know. I am proud of her, thank God for her, and love her too dearly to express. And I raise my arms in thanks to my great, beloved God that He has ordained for His people to have the honor of bringing glory to Him, and receive this heavenly purpose with a swell of hope for life beyond this place.

When I think of my daughter, made for a different land, these are the words of my heart for her:

My child, my treasure,

I love thinking of you, by God’s mercy,
     in that place where you are alive—full and free.
For you were not made for this land at all.
You were made for a different land, a better land, a heavenly one.
And here, I have gained greater love for the Lord
     and His life through the gift of knowing you.
Sharing our beloved Lord Jesus unites us, in time and in eternity.

Forever yours,
Mom

It may sound strange to say about a day inaugurated because of loss—but at Hope Mommies, every year, October 15 is one of our favorite days! We can choose hope by honoring our Creator for the gifts that our precious children continue to be in our lives, though presently unseen. This is a day, set apart, to joyfully and publicly recognize these dear children as a part of our earthly and eternal families.

As Hope Moms ourselves, we are so thankful for the way that others’ displays of hope and remembrance pour into our own lives too. Will you join us today to remember and celebrate the life of your little one?

You can post your pictures and share hope with us and other Hope Families on social media by using #HopeMommiesOct15 on your public posts.

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*For the first time this year, Hope Mommies will have a free gift for those who want to donate to the ministry through our annual Giving Tuesday campaign—a new book, Made for a Different Land: Eternal Hope for Baby Loss, written by moms in our community. More details on the campaign are to come. The book will also be available for purchase at Amazon on January 1.

Lianna (@liannadavis) is wed to Tyler and mom of two dear daughters. More of her writing can be found at her website.

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