In 2002, the first prayer was for life. Not mine. But for Lauran's. Let the doctor's be able to fix what is wrong and let her live a long life. Through her 53 days of life, I finally understood two scriptures - to pray without ceasing and to pray without words. I also came to understand that I didn't change God's will through prayer, He changes mine.
In 2003, the prayer was to see first the beauty of my life rather than the pain of my life. I watched myself celebrate every holiday, do mundane things, and marvel at mothers who casually walked through the mall with their babies in their stroller. I prayed for God to let me live a vibrant life instead of a shadow of a life.
Help me live the kind of life I would have wanted Lauran to have.
In 2004, I prayed for faith. We were one month away from having a baby boy. Help me believe that the doctors are right. He's healthy. There's nothing wrong. Help me believe this gift of a healthy baby could be ours.
In 2005, 2006, and 2007, I have prayed with exaltation. How blessed are we to have a beautiful, healthy baby growing and growing. The desire of my heart fulfilled. How GREAT are you God!
In 2008, I prayed for deliverance. I'm in the first trimester and find myself more scared than ever before. I have tasted the sweetness of life, and I am shamefully scared that I will have to face the bitterness again.
In 2009, my prayer of thanksgiving overwhelms me. We may face other trials, but nothing compares to the trial of loss. And I know, without a doubt, God will not abandon us.
And so the prayers go in 2010, 2011, and 2012. In every past prayer, and today's, and I imagine, every future prayer, God knows I miss her.
So on this day, I say a prayer of gratitude that sometimes I am given a glimpse of the bigger picture. Throughout these 11 years, I've watched others bear the loss of a child. Yet through their heartache, they have remained married. Some have borne healthy children. Some have adopted children. Some lovingly serve children. In their lives, I see such grace and beauty. So today, my prayer is for those mothers. I am so thankful that they have been given the desires of their heart and that they allowed me to bear witness. I thank God for them and for babies present and babies past.
2 comments:
Your life has experienced the words of Job after he lost all of his children: And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. That insight only comes by faith. You are the Lord's daughter and it shows.
Thanks for your words, Jennifer. You are a blessing to me. Lauran was a blessing to me.
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