45 results for tag: Brittnie


Guilt + Grief: Is Experiencing Joy Again A Betrayal of My Baby?

The weight of grief that comes from the loss of a child is a tremendously heavy burden to carry. For many Hope Moms, that weight is compounded by the additional burden of guilt. In this series, we seek to gently guide the grieving mother to the foot of the cross to exchange this burden of guilt for the peace, assurance, and forgiveness that is found in Christ. My husband and I exchanged glances as we piled the last few pool toys in the car. It was time. Packed to the brim, we were headed out of town for our first family-of-four getaway. Multiple stops for drinks and ice cream along the way resulted in smiles that stretched across my ...

Dear Chance: A Letter to My Hope Baby

Dear Chance, Words cannot express how deeply you have touched my life. Your short life in my womb did not come with little impact. You lived for twenty weeks and three days, yet your legacy lives on in more ways than I can count. For this I am so filled with gratitude. Here are just four of the gifts that your life continues to give me, Chance. You point me to Jesus When I think of you, which is everyday, I think of Jesus and the ultimate goal of joining you, and our Lord, in heaven. This keeps my heart heaven-pointed daily, with a constant heart and mind refocused on what really matters in life, and keeps my priorities in check. You point me ...

Knowing Him: The True Vine

There is nothing greater than knowing Christ. Seven times in the book of John, Jesus offers us profound insight into His nature and character. In this series, we seek to guide the reader into a deeper understanding of these “I Am” statements, and the rich hope and comfort that can be found in Christ in the midst of grief. The room was quiet. I saw the concern on the ultrasound technician’s face as she gently circled her wand across my 20-week belly. Her demeanor had changed almost instantly from just a few minutes prior. After several seconds of horrid silence, she stated, “I am going to have the doctor come in.” In ...

When You Have Been Hurt in Grief…

God’s Word speaks thoroughly and abundantly into every season of the heart. As we study His Word, we learn that within its pages are found the ultimate source of comfort and peace for the sufferer. In this series, we will seek to carefully and compassionately apply these ancient, scriptural truths to feelings and experiences that are common in grief. It had been four weeks. Four weeks since the loss of my only son, Chance. Four weeks since I birthed and buried my tiny babe, and the one person I wanted so badly to acknowledge my loss and pain had not. Not one word. Not one text. Not one acknowledgment of my child, who now lived ...

He’s With Us in the Fire

My eyes opened slowly as the nurse touched my arm to wake me. She smiled. “I’m so glad you slept well. I didn’t see the need to wake you,” she tenderly stated. I had slept solid all night, which was such a gift after riding the emotional rollercoaster of the few days prior. Her hand rubbed my arm as I blinked to see the sun peering through the hospital room windows. Eight hours earlier I had said goodbye to my only son—birthed from my body, still and lifeless, yet perfectly formed. He was small and beautiful, his nose one of my favorite features. I would always remember that cute-as-a-button nose.  As my feet hit the ground to begin ...

Recognize the Opportunity

Paul reminds us in his letter to the church in Thessalonica that we do "not grieve as others do who have no hope" (1 Thess. 4:13). But what exactly does that mean? In this series, we explore what it looks like to honor God in our grief and examine the ways we can choose to grieve with hope. When my son went to heaven several years ago, I was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. One week his heart was beating, his body growing in my womb, and the next week, his heart had stopped. I was admitted to labor and delivery, and said hello and goodbye to my only son in a matter of five, short hours. Several days later, we ...

In the Word: The Lord is There

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at different names of God found in Scripture, and how these different aspects of who He is offer us hope in the midst of our grief.  As we study together, we encourage 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 study these names of God along with us!  “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right ...

Strength in the Sorrow: Psalm 91:1-7

God's Word is sufficient for our every need, even those that follow the heartbreaking loss of a child. In this series, Hope Moms share about the way God, through His life-giving Word, has provided them with the strength, comfort, encouragement, and hope they needed as they walk through the valley of loss and grief. "My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word!" Psalm 119:28 I sat across from my husband in a McDonalds restaurant booth, my mind in a complete haze. With each sip of my coffee I squinted my eyes to hold back the tears. Just a few moments prior I was walking a cemetery, hand-in-hand with my man, in an ...

In the Word: The Lord is My Peace

Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be looking at different names of God found in Scripture, and how these different aspects of who He is offer us hope in the midst of our grief.  As we study together, we encourage 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 study these names of God along with us!  “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in ...

I Wish You Knew: Words Won’t Erase the Pain

Often in our grief, those closest to us do not know how to comfort and encourage us. Sometimes they stay away or don’t say anything at all because they are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing. In this series, we hope to better equip those around us to come alongside a grieving mother—to enter their hurt and offer hope and encouragement, or simply grieve with them. “He was just too beautiful for this earth.” What? Too beautiful for this earth? What does this even mean? Too beautiful? So God decided to take my only son? I know plenty of beautiful people who are living and thriving on this earth. What? Is she serious? I sat in ...