Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. All across the globe today, families who have been touched by the loss of a little life, before or after birth, are remembering their missing babies by lighting a candle at 7pm. If you leave the candle lit for at least an hour, there will be a continuous wave of light across the whole Earth in all time zones. It's a simple way to remember the precious ones we never got to hold, or who we only got to hold a short time. Are you participating? Today we remember Emory and Shiloh who find rest in our heavenly Father's arms. Shiloh's due date would have been in just 10 days, on October 25th. Who are you remembering? I would love it if you left a comment with your little one's name. I think in the midst of grief it's important to also celebrate the lives of our "angel babies", however short those lives may have been. They are still a perfectly unique, beautiful individual who's existence deserves remembrance and celebration.
I remember when I was first dealing with the emotional and physical pain of losing Shiloh, I felt bitter, wondering, "If I was going to miscarry, why did I have to even get pregnant at all? I would rather have not gotten pregnant in the first place, and then I wouldn't have to feel this way." But through the grieving process, and through God's healing my heart I came to a realization that that was the wrong attitude. Even though it hurt so much to say goodbye so early, I don't regret their existence. Even though I didn't get to hold them, I know someday I will. To wish them away, wish that they had never been conceived, would be to underestimate the value of their eternal souls, and to underestimate how deeply their lives touched our hearts forever. Their lives have purpose. However short, life has purpose!
I also want to give a shout out to the families who were in the process of adoption and lost their children before they were able to bring them home. In my mind their loss is just as real and painful as mine, and my heart goes out to them.
So tonight, we light a candle. Will you? Tonight I am praying for those who have experienced this sort of loss. Leave a comment and I would be happy to pray for you as well. I pray that the peace of Christ will rule in your hearts.
Philippians4:6-7
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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