33 results for tag: Kayla

Knowing Him: The Resurrection and the Life

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. “Jesus said to [Martha], ‘I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever 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 Unending and Unchanging Love of Jesus

Our life in Christ as believers brings true freedom. Because of this merciful gift of new life, we are absolutely free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2), and we no longer live in bondage (Galatians 5:1). Jesus ultimately gives us freedom from suffering eternal death (John 6:47), but His life and resurrection were never meant to provide the same type of deliverance from suffering on earth. As Hope Mommies, we have realized first hand that we aren’t free from this suffering, because we now know death on earth—not just death that happens near us, but the death of life that began inside us. It’s the kind of suffering that often leads to ...

When You Feel Misunderstood 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. How do you feel misunderstood in your grief? Is it the lack of grace extended for time off work? Friends who don’t understand why you’re still sad? Family who want you to “move on”? We’ve all been there, sister. You’re not alone. Most of our children in heaven didn’t ...

Grieving With An Eternal Mindset

"Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:11b READ: When I lost Anna, it was as if a chunk of my soul was removed from inside my body. I had physical aching inside my chest, and a feeling of emptiness deep in my belly that welled up into my throat. Even my arms knew what was missing as they throbbed, heavy from her absence. In moments of despair, my mind was overcome with the desire for it all just to stop. I was never suicidal; I simply longed for an end to the pain that was so presently palpable. I had never felt that way before, not ...

When You Can’t Understand God’s Plan…

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. In a young child’s mind, the world revolves around them. They don’t have the capability to understand that every need can’t be met in their timing, every question cannot be answered, and every desire can’t be fulfilled. This is how I characterized myself, at ...

Guarding our Minds in Grief

Before experiencing loss, I had a general understanding that Satan has a level of control over the world today. Yet, I often lived flippantly, as if the effects of this invisible war waging above had me out of reach. I failed to accept the full reality of this spiritual battle enough to seek my own preparation before it became my spiritual battle. I constantly allowed my fear to reign and sought out my own short-term resolutions until illness, pain, suffering, the obvious presence of sin, and death completely shattered that false reality. Evil’s reign in this current day suddenly became extremely personal and offensive, like Satan brought his ...

A Prayer For the One Who Feels Envious

I see you and I’ve been there. More importantly, God sees you and hasn’t cast you out. The sin of comparison, jealousy, envy—it’s heavy, but it was also paid for with Jesus’ blood. You don’t need to hide it from Him, nor from this community. You can be honest and exclaim, “God this doesn’t feel fair that she gets to keep her baby when I don’t!” You can lament, “Lord why her and not me?” My Anna died on October 7, and I was met with a close friend being pregnant the very next month. Not only was this a blow to my infertility struggle, but it was so soon after my loss that I felt completely forgotten by her and by the Lord. My ...

The Gift of Deeper Community

I’ve received many gifts as a result of my suffering, but I can attest that the deeper community I’ve experienced because of it is high on the list. As a reminder, I read my original story of losing Anna posted by Hope Mommies in 2018. One of the highlights even then was how the church around me truly changed me and ushered me into a new world of deeper community. A community who carried me through my grief, learned what biblical joy and lament truly means, and provided practically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually for me for years. Because of the support I received, I am able to be there for the women who come after me. The sister of ...

Discussions in Grief: Fear

Grieving involves new emotions and considerations often too many to numbers. When you find yourself in overwhelming grief, you likely feel buried and lost. In this series, we slowly and compassionately look at one aspect of grief at a time from a biblical perspective for the newly grieving mother. Click {here} to read past posts in this series.  Anxiety and worry have been consistent struggles in my life before loss and after. It wasn’t until I experienced the profound grief of baby loss that I was able to identify the root of my anxiety as fear, and the root of my fear as a lack of trust in the Lord. In my loss, I suddenly became sensitive ...

Cliche Comforts: “It Will Happen When the Time is Right”

“When the time is right…” What a common cliché in many of life’s struggles! This saying quickly forms on the tongue of those who awkwardly don’t know what else to say to a friend experiencing a painful waiting. Waiting for a baby, waiting for a husband, waiting for a job, waiting for an “all clear” diagnosis; it’s all too easy to simply say, “It’ll happen when the time is right,” and brush off the hurt with an imaginary end date. On the surface, as is the case with most clichés, it’s an innocent, harmless, partial truth, and occasionally even slightly comforting. But at its core, this phrase is unintentionally leaving us ...