Thursday, April 12, 2007

Baby Blessing

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

A week ago this Monday I started experiencing some complications with my pregnancy. I went a whole week trying to believe the best and trust in the Lord for my strength and the life of my child. Although I was very concerned about the welfare of my baby, God gave me the grace to lift my hands in church on Sunday and sing praise to Him who had risen from the dead! What an awesome privilege to place the cares of this world in a God who has conquered death and the grave!

Sunday evening I had severe pain and bleeding, so on Monday I went to the doctor for an ultrasound. It was then that we learned that the baby had no heartbeat. We also learned that the baby was too small, much too small to be 10 weeks. It was difficult to determine if there wasn't a heartbeat because the baby was no longer alive, or if I was actually much earlier in my pregnancy--too early to detect a heartbeat. So we had to wait. But not long. On Tuesday evening, at home with my husband beside me, I miscarried. As we cried together over our loss, Jeff reminded me that this was simply the earthly shell of our child, and that it's soul was already in heaven with the Lord. Even in great sadness, it was easy to praise God for taking our child before it experienced pain, loss, hurts, evil and sin. Our child will never know the sorrows of this world because God is good, kind and merciful. And to us, He gives us grace to live without the little life that had just begun to make its presence known in our lives. We have named the baby "Blessing" because that is just what it was. Blessing has two brothers, Bryan and Jack, and a sister, Anne-marie. In the time we knew of the baby's coming, it brought smiles to all of their faces, and joy to Jeff and I. Blessing has brought Jeff and I closer together, and given us a greater love for God. It has also made heaven much sweeter. Our baby is surrounded by a great grandfather, a great grandmother, and a grandfather so recently passed. Blessing is also surrounded by so many other precious babies of friends, whose parents never saw their faces or held them in their arms. They are there together, our precious little ones, and heaven never looked so good.

Thank you, God, for your Blessing. Thank you that you give, and take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Just this Sunday, we sang the words to this song, knowing that in all probability, our little Blessing was already with Jesus.

Alive Forever Amen

Let the children sing
A song of liberation
The God of our salvation
Set us free
Death where is thy sting
The curse of sin is broken
The empty tomb stands open
Come and see

He's alive, alive, alive Hallelujah!
Alive praise and glory to the Lamb
Alive, alive, alive hallelujah
Alive forever amen

Let my heart sing out
For Christ the One and only
So powerful and holy
Rescued me
Death won't hurt me now
Because He has redeemed me
No grave will ever keep me
From my King

I'm alive, alive, alive Hallelujah!
Alive praise and glory to the Lamb
Alive, alive, alive hallelujah
Alive forever amen

Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy of our praise
Worthy is the One
Who has overcome the grave
Let the people dance
Let the people sing
Worthy is the mighty King

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a sweet tribute to the Blessing God gave you! =) Thank you both for working very hard at trusting the Lord through this difficulty. We love you both and are thankful for your godly response to this loss.

Love and prayers,
Mark and Laurie

Leanne said...

Dear Betty and Jeff...
what a beautiful post. I prayed for you often yesterday. Betty, our little ones are with Jesus...what a blessed thought. I will continue to pray for you... if you need to talk, please let me know.
Much, much love,
Leanne

Burman Batch said...

Betty-My heart is with you & I am praying for you!! I know what it is like to miscarry!!

Unknown said...

Oh Betty. I'll be praying for you guys!!

Anonymous said...

Betty,
That was such a good post and a wonderful way to frame this time in your life. It made me cry for your hurt and loss.
Love,
Jill

Betty 'Rie said...

Thank you all so much for your support. For some reason today was a little harder, I'm not sure why. But even with tears rolling I still must lift my hands and praise. I believe that even my tears can be a form of worship to God, and He intercedes for me when I cannot do so for myself.

Anonymous said...

Dear Betty,
I don't know if you will get this, but I have been praying for you. My dear sister, Julie has experienced this, and I know how hard it is. My thoughts are with you. I love the song,"Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns. Your referring to lifting your hands in praise made me think of that song.
Much love,
Kathy Johnson

Unknown said...

Betty, it will always hurt, although the hurt moves itself into a smaller & smaller residence in your heart. You will always know that you have more children than are accounted for by observers. You mourn ~ you go ahead & cry for your child. Your his/her mother, & that's part of your job. Blessing is a precious name.

You are on my heart & in my prayers,
Danna

Ruthy said...

Betty - I'm so sorry to read of your loss. It's amazing, though, how sweet the praise is and how easily it comes in times of trial. The group Watermark has a beautiful song called "Glory Baby" that was such a comfort during all of our losses. I hope you rest in the peace that Blessing simply has heaven before you do. Take care.

Molly said...

Dear Betty,
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. What a sweet post to honor your God and remember your precious little Blessing. I will be praying for you.
love,
Molly

Kristi said...

Betty, I'm so sorry to read of your loss! I wrote to Leanne and now I am writing you, Mark and I miscarried in December - it's hard to say the least - not only emotionally but physically, too. I'm so thankful that God knows what we need and is longsuffering with us. Know that I do understand what it feels like to go through "it" - and I'm praying for you. kristi edwards

Anonymous said...

Betts - I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I look forward to meeting Baby Gray someday. I will be praying for you and Jeff...let me know if I can do anything for you.
Love you,
G