Never Forgotten, Forever Loved

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Today's worship wednesday is a bit different in that I didn't have anything to share when I went to bed last night. Not that I didn't have things that didn't stick out this week but more that I wasn't sure that was what I wanted to share today. Then this morning as I was trying to wake up and perusing Instagram, I was reminded that today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day.

Four years ago at about this time of year, I suffered two miscarriages that deeply rocked my faith and caused me to ask God a lot of "why?" questions. I still don't have my answers, other then the fact that God has brought MANY woman into my life who have also experienced miscarriage or infant loss. The verse that has always stuck out to me as these woman, dear friends of mine, come to me with the news of their loss, is 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

I do not understand infant loss, I still ask God why it happens, even though I know it's because we do not live in a perfect world, with no hurt, pain or loss. The one thing that I do know is that God has sent great people into my life when I was hurting and He sends me to those who are hurting in their time of need. I am very thankful for the friends who stick closer than as sister and pray that I am that same friend to others.

Print by Ashlee Proffitt

Today, especially, I urge you to pray for those who have been or are currently in the depths of loss. Miscarriage is something that most people do not share about. It tends to be something that people keep close to themselves and close friends because the hurt is so deep and you question how you could feel so much pain about someone you've never met and that you, yourself, have just learned exists but the love and bond with your children happens the moment you know of their conception. But often times, others don't feel that same connection, so sharing seems futile. So friends, pray. The sister who sits next to you at Bible study, or the woman who sits at the park may be dealing with this deep, empty pain.

And if you know someone who is going through or has gone through miscarriage or infant loss (because the pain is always there and the child(ren) are never forgotten), I urge you to follow this link. Ashlee Proffitt is giving the Print at the top of this post to every name given to her, in honor of her son Aaden Sage who died soon after his birth (you can read the story here.) She knows deeply and personally that any child, no matter how old or young, is Never Forgotten, Always Loved!