A few weeks ago while on vacation, our family was contemplating names for our newest addition, who was to arrive in August. The name “Story” was my favorite as it made me think of how God was creating a new life and a new story through which to tell of His goodness. Though unusual, I loved the idea of people asking why we chose that name and our opportunity to tell how God has given each of us a story.
A few days ago we received news that our sweet baby had been reunited with the One who loves him/her most. Our excitement and joy crashed to the ground as sorrow and grief took their place. I mourned in a way I have never experienced. And yet, before I even received the official news, God had already begun comforting and strengthening me. Scriptures I had read that morning when I awoke, a worship song that came on in the car while on the way to the doctor, a verse I had read in the waiting room, and February’s sermons on the life of Job all flooded my mind in a few short moments. I quickly realized God had perfectly prepared me for this moment.
But oh! What stark contrasts stared me in the face. The verses that were coming to mind promised blessing, joy, hope, and peace; however, my feelings were of loss, sadness, hopelessness, and fear. Thankfully, God was leaning in and begging me to trust Him.
To be honest, some of the things He was leading us to do felt like foolishness. Trying to explain God’s great love to our kids in the midst of these circumstances, speaking and writing scripture, singing while weeping, and giving thanks though unable to see why just yet was a very humbling experience. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
That’s exactly what happened. Some of our behaviors and words looked like foolishness, but it was the power of God being worked out in us. Twenty- nine hours after this journey had begun, I awoke from anesthesia to a brand new morning of sorts. Though it was 4:00 in the afternoon, God began to allow our feelings to match all of those promises in the scriptures He was pouring into me. Hope, joy, and peace were alive within me once again.
I know that so many others have experienced this situation, and God has worked differently in each individual life. For us, I felt as though He was calling us to move forward so we could tell about how God is already using this short but precious little life. Though things have gone so differently than we expected, we’ve decided to name this sweet baby “Story.” God has been so gracious in already showing us ways He’s working and accomplishing His purposes. I wish I could share every scripture in which I have found comfort and hope, but I fear I would need a separate post. Instead I’ll share a few that seemed to recur over and over again.
“I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
apart from You I have no good thing.’
Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; You make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will You let Your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” Psalm 16:2, 5-11
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21-23
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19