I have five earthbound daughters. Though they're all quite different, some say they're similar to look at. They have different giftings and strengths. It's been fascinating to see their giftings and strengths and personalities develop over the years. With the youngest two, I'm still having to guess where they're headed.
Linking up with other writers at Five Minute Friday. Today's prompt word is GUESS.
I'm left to guess what my other children look like, what their giftings and strengths and personalities might have been. I lost them too early to know. I was left to guess their genders and names. There were times when I knew the name; with most of them, I didn't know at the time.
But in the last few months, the Lord has been giving me names, slowly, in the stillness, because He said it's time to process the losses. I guess it is.
For most of the losses, I buried the pain and got on with life, because I had to, because it seemed easier. I guess it was.
But now, in His grace and mercy, He's said it's time - to stop guessing and start knowing some stuff.
(The Lord speaks to me a lot, which some find bizarre, but the Scripture is clear that He wants to speak to us and will, if we listen. John 10:27, Isa 30:21, Heb 3:7, 15, Jer 33:3, John 10:16, John 14:26, John 16:13, Ps 85:8, Rev 3:20, Rom 8:14, Ps 32:8. Over the years, I've learnt what His voice sounds like and how He speaks to me, and no, it's rarely audible.)
So it's not bizarre that He would give me names. I think part of the healing is seeing them as real people in a real place called heaven and that I will one day be reunited with them and know them.
So, for now, while I'm as earthbound as my five daughters, He's graciously removing some of the guesswork.
I'm sure there are still many things to guess about them, but I'm grateful to know more than I previously have. The names give me context and something more tangible to hang onto than merely traumatic memories of miscarriage.
I will write more on that sometime and how the Lord is leading me to process that, and explain what the picture is about. At the moment it's all incredibly raw, made more real by fresh grief at losing a close friend.
I guess He doesn't waste anything, eh?
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Cor 1:3-4
Oh, Kath.
ReplyDeleteShe looks for their bright faces
in crowds on every street,
but there can be no traces,
and she will never meet
those for whom her heart had longed
as they grew within,
'till by nature she was wronged
in a fight she couldn't win.
And though time's river floweth on,
a part of her is left on shore,
an upstream gaze for those who've gone
the glory road before
and left her here, bereft, alone,
before their names were even known.
Andrew, thank you!! Your poetry is always profound and beautiful but I will treasure this one in particular. It's spot on and very healing.
DeleteI am so grateful the Lord is drawing you close and bringing you healing, even as He brings their names. {{hugs}}
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne. He truly is the God who heals and makes everything beautiful in its time.
DeleteWhat a gift to know their names. Your babies are being lovingly cared for until you can join them in Heaven.
ReplyDeleteI lost a baby early on, in my heart I always felt it was a boy.
Hugs
It truly is a gift to know their names and to get a heavenly perspective on where they are and how they are. I'm sorry for your loss. Most of my missing children are boys.
DeleteOh Kath, there are no words. (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteWords aren't always necessary. But I appreciate the virtual hugs. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteKath, I love your raw transparency here. I feel so blessed to have read this today. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteFMF#8
I'm glad it blessed you, Paula. One of my hopes in writing is that others are blessed as I share my journey. It gives purpose to the pain. Thanks for stopping by.
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