O, Raise Your Head
Waking this morning chose to listen to Untitled Hymn, by Chris Rice. The lyrics simple yet beautiful.
Fall on Jesus and Live
So if your sky is dark and pours of the rain, then cry to Jesus and live
God is an amazing healer and redeemer.
When love spills over and fills the night, when you can’t contain your joy inside, dance for Jesus and live.
—Untitled Hymn, Chris Rise
I dream one day dancing with no emotional pain, sadness, or grief. The day I enter heaven I dream of dancing free of this fallen world that has included miscarriages as of late. I know I will meet the child that I lost in heaven. Her. I named her Lilly.
In fact, a young child documents his experiences of a vision that he has during a near death experience. He meets his sister (whom he did not know about) in heaven. Days after the heaven experience, the boy eagerly asked his mom about the sister he had never met and ultimately had not been told of. His mom was taken aback and did not know how to handle her sons knowledge of the little girl she miscarried as a baby. Ultimately, both the mom and dad believed their son because the truth and details that their sweet son had encountered in heaven could not be disproved.
Sounds like an amazing and hopeful book, right? Are you interested in reading it? The book is called, Heaven is For Real. If movies are more your speed, Heaven is for Real was made into a major motion picture by Hollywood in 2014.
Ultimately, I share the boys example with knowledge, proof, and hope that there will be brighter days. I’ve already witnessed glimpses of light as a result of this pain.
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again, and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. —John 16:22
However, I do not want to downplay my reality—this miscarriage hit me like an unexpected tsunami of physical and emotional pain. A ton of bricks. On one hand, I never expected a miscarriage. On the other hand, I felt naive that I had not realized losing a child was a possibility. I am thankful that friends and a compassionate OBGYN reminded me, “there is nothing you did wrong.” “There is nothing you could have done better.” “Don’t beat myself yourself up.” I am grateful that they chose not to shame or guilt me, as my flesh wanted to heap those emotions by the barrels.
Several friends who have endured a miscarriage and loss, kindly suggested that I let myself grieve at and let the tears come when they come. Based on their experiences of loss and miscarriage, if I stuffed the emotions down, they would eventually resurface in an unproductive manner.
Thank you friends!! What sweet kindness to me that they took time to offer me hope and reflection based on their own painful losses. What a beautiful picture of the gospel!! What sweet truth we share of God’s amazing comfort and ultimately how it can work through us to share compassion and hope for others. I am grateful that others have modeled that for me.
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT
As an extrovert, I am known to have many words to share and also eager to have deep conversations! Lately though, the tears have outweighed a desire to talk.
It is in the silent moments of loss that grace upon grace is discovered. Dear friend, I pray to convey that grieving is a necessary part of processing loss.
Ultimately, I take heart knowing God will bind up my broken heart and create something beautiful. Our God is in the restoration business. I am living proof.
God renews. God redeems. God heals. God restores. Dear friends, will you join me in letting him heal all our brokeness?
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. —Matthew 5:14-16
There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes his homeSo carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
And hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your worldFrustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flameSo carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn (the tired and worn)
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world'Cause we are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest timesSo carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor (deceived and poor)
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your worldCarry your candle, run to the darkness (run to the darkness)
Seek out the hopeless (hopeless), confused and torn (confused and torn)
Hold out your candle (candle) for all to see it (all to see it)
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world—Go Light Your World, by Chris Rice
