Today, I share a story from a beloved sister in Christ (who happens to be my daughter), along with our weekly praise interruption of Scripture and song. May He tenderly encourage your heart if you, too, are grieving the loss of a baby or grandbaby.
I am so grateful Maggie is my daughter.
While I would not have wished for it yet, I am so grateful to know she is in Heaven waiting for us. I heard a woman share this past week about her own children who did not get to breathe on Earth. She found peace imagining her kids filling heaven with more giggles and sweetness, running around the streets of gold with their Father.
I have laid in bed these past couple of mornings, praying. I was pondering that if God wanted to, He could put Maggie back in my womb. He could do anything.
But then it hit me that that wouldn’t be what’s best for her. Heaven is way better; I would never want to take her from eternal joy and communion with Jesus.
And isn’t that love—sacrifice, even when it hurts?
A quote from Seasons of Sorrow by Tim Challies puts it so well:
“There is gain to be had in death, and it’s the gain that comes when we are released from all that is evil and awakened to all that is good. I would not summon Nick [his 20 year-old son] back to this world if I could, for that would be to rob him of the greatest of all gains and to force him to experience so much loss.”
I can see my little girl now—dancing in those streets of gold. May my grieving heart and empty arms direct me to the One who is with us both in every moment.
Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure;
theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead thine own
in the love of joys unknown.
Comfort from God’s Word for grieving loss of a baby
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them (Ps. 139:15-16 ESV).
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 19:14 ESV).
Jesus, joy of our desiring,
holy wisdom, love most bright…
The Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God (Mk. 16:19 ESV).
drawn by thee, our souls aspiring
soar to uncreated light.
(“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” Janus, M., 1661)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:3 ESV).
Joyous hope in Jesus while grieving loss, hope of heaven as we wait for Jesus
…[Jesus], who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him (1 Thess. 5:10 ESV).
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Heb. 9:28 NIV).
Through the way where hope is guiding,
hark, what peaceful music rings…
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
who by God’s power are being guarded through faith
for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Pet. 1:3-5 ESV).
where the flock, in thee confiding,
drink of joy from deathless springs.
A playlist gift about heaven, for our grieving hearts to sing of our joyous hope…Jesus
As a mom and Nana, I too have been grieving Maggie’s loss, with love expanded to our daughters’ families. This week’s playlist gift sings of heaven as we all grieve losses. What joyous hope He’s given to me amid much sorrow, for to die is indeed gain for those in Jesus Christ. What do we gain, in life and death?
We gain Jesus Himself.
May this week’s playlist be His healing balm, especially if you are grieving loss of a baby. Sign up here, and it will come to your email with my love and much prayer.
Other resources of Singing Christ’s Hope
To read more of Lauri’s writing, you can use her devotional Bible study lament prayer journals: Praying God’s Blessings in Christ as We Suffer: Scripture Prayers for the Hardest Days, Praying God’s Promises Into Suffering, Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character as We Suffer, or Singing the Gospel to Job: Finding Hope in Suffering. In the Valleys of God’s Love is written for children aged 3-8, a perfect read for grandparents, parents, and children to share together, preparing them for suffering to come.
For Scripture devotionals, calming hymns, and encouragement from Lauri, click here for YouTube channel
For those with chronic illness and pain, helpful Scripture and song gifts to aid in healing
For suffering Christian women in your church, free workshops are now available
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