It brings tears to my eyes to think of the year 2016 as a whole. I’ve faced so much loss, so much grief, yet so much hope and evidence of God’s faithfulness.
In case you didn’t know, I started the year just a few weeks after losing our newborn daughter to a fatal birth defect. Our Taylor was born at 30 weeks and lived just under 3 short hours.
To say that experience was earth-shattering is an understatement. I never knew so much grief was possible, even though I knew it was coming as she had been diagnosed at 16 weeks.
Then in February we lost my sweet grandma.
And in March we lost our beloved beagle, Buddy.
In May, we finally got some good news. We were expecting our second baby.
So, as you can see, the year has been eventful. But I’ve learned so much over the past year and wanted to share some of the important lessons God has shown me.
Suffering isn’t part of God’s plan
Rather, I believe His plan is how we RESPOND to the hard things in life. Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world. But God is faithful through the struggles and will sustain us through the trials if we lean on Him.
God will sustain us through the trials
I could list out SO many examples of God’s faithfulness through the toughest of times. When we got the terrible news our daughter wouldn’t survive, the doctor could not have been more sweet and kind. My OB took fantastic care of us through the journey. When I gave birth I was blessed with the most wonderful nurse who even took tons of precious pictures of our girl for us.
And that’s just the start – I could go on and on about all the blessings throughout the year that have supported us through times of grief. Especially the hope we were given as we were blessed to find out we were expecting baby #2 in May. You just have to look for those blessings and acknowledge them – it allows the healing process to begin.
There’s no shame in grief
“Jesus wept.” This is the shortest verse in the entire Bible. Jesus, who could raise the dead, was overcome with grief when his dear friend died.
Don’t be ashamed of your grief. It’s ok to share some of it too. We’re human and it’s natural.
Furthermore, the fact that Jesus experienced grief here on earth means that He understands what we’re going through.
“Grief only lives where love did.”
God can use your story to help others
When you recognize how God has sustained you through the trials, it only feels natural to share all that God has done. When He has healed you from insurmountable grief you want to let others know that He will do the same for them.
So don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. In this world of only sharing the pretty moments on social media, people crave authenticity. To know they’re not alone in their struggles and that there is always hope.
2016 has certainly been an eventful year. It’s my prayer that these lessons from the past year encourages you along your life journey.
Thank you for sharing your heart, Laura. Your words comforted me, and I am sure they will comfort many others!
Thanks Kristie! I’m so glad you found some comfort through this post.
I can totally identify with grief that is what I have been experiencing for the past 39 years. I will not share here as there is not enough room in the comment box 🙂 but if you email me your snail mail address I will write my life Story, only to ask for your Prayers.
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But through it all I can say this, God is Good ALL the Time :D. Often times, the hard places are the places of our greatest Spiritual Growth as it brings us closer to God if we allow it to. Even though the last year has been my most physically painful year there have been many Happy times as well.
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Praying for the sweet little one {{{hugz}}} <3 For everything to be healthy and just right for all of you.
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I am terribly sorry to hear of your Fur baby passing away {{{hugz}}} They are Family, too. I am so very sorry about the passing of your Gramma. We lost my husband's Father October 10, 2014, and since then the younger Generation is so busy working and living their own lives that we no longer really get together as a Family as a whole. My own Father is in a Nursing home in Kansas without visitor's while my own mother is living up her own life with little regard for his. Please pray for My Family -my mother, My Father, My Daughter, My Son and My Precious Grandson. That they will come to know Christ ass their Savior.
I am no longer able to travel which is truly heartbreaking. but anyway this is not about me. just wanted to let you know if you need someone to just listen I am here for you {{{{hugz}}}}.
Thank you for sharing, Karen! I will most definitely keep you and your family in my prayers.
Laura
Thoughts, prayers and hugs! I hope you have a better year! Congratulations on your pregnancy. Sounds like you will be enjoying a gift from God very soon!
Hope to see pictures of your baby!
Thank you, Sue! Yes I can’t wait to share pictures of our little guy once he arrives!
I’m so so sorry for all your loss. I myself have been through a lot of loss, bad depression and everything that seems like it could go wrong, HAS!! I’m trying to stay positive and get through it all. I have had a really, really bad 2016 myself, praying that 2017 will be so much better. I wanted to say, Congratulations on your bundle of joy and prayers to you and your family for a wonderful and safe journey on your pregnancy and delivery. I love your emails and appreciate your honesty and being straight forward. Thank you so so much! I hope you have a GREAT Merry Christmas & a NEW YEAR!!
Thank you for sharing! I’m praying you have a fantastic 2017! <3