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Sunday, September 2, 2012

Best 'Advice' While Expecting a Baby

Over a year ago, a friend told me about a friend of hers whose baby passed away a couple of weeks before its due date.  This story was incredibly sad, and particularly difficult to hear as an expectant mom.

A few days later, I was chatting with a dear friend of mine at church.  She asked how I was doing, and how I was feeling about becoming a mom.  Of course, I was excited and we talked about fun baby stuff.  But with a heavy heart, I also described how much the story about the other baby passing away was troubling me.

My friend replied with the best, truest comment I could have heard in that moment.
She reminded me that God numbers all of our days, and that we are all part of His plan.  Whether we live or die is up to Him and Him alone.  My friend emphasized that I could not and should not try to carry the burden of wondering what God's plan is for my child.  Finally, she encouraged me to take comfort in the fact God knows when our time will come to be with Him in Heaven. After a brief moment of conflicted consideration, these thoughts brought me great relief.  My friend had spoken exactly what I needed to hear, and I was powerfully reminded of God's truth to in a way that calmed my fears.

Of course, had Gavin not been born it would have been incredibly painful.  But anxiety about all the what-ifs while pregnant would not be helpful.  Knowing that my pregnancy was in God's hands and being reminded that each of our days are numbered by a good God that loves us was a tremendous relief to me.
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 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. - Psalm 136:1
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. - 1 John 4:16

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