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Even with a lot on my mind and a heavy heart, I can still see God working in my life. Sometimes in very unexpected ways. I was approached this week by a friend who is only a few months out from her first miscarriage. She was hit by a flood of emotions this week when another friend of hers had a baby. She wasn't expecting it and is, of course, happy for her friend. But it is distressing to get hit with those emotions and that sense of loss so expectantly. I knew exactly how she felt. And I'm glad she reached out to me.
At the time, the conversation made me sad, and still does. I know how she feels and I hate that she has to go through that. I also hate that it recalls those same emotions in myself as well. Those feelings that never really go away, but get somewhat easier to deal with over time. When she then expressed her gratitude to me in being able to find someone who understands what she is going through, I was hit with the realization that this is part of God's plan for me.
God has given me the chance to help others through my own experiences. If nothing else, I am that person who can listen and just understand. I don't even have to say anything. Sometimes a listening ear from someone who has "been there" is all that is needed. I'd gladly give back my experiences with pregnancy loss, but I can't. And if I can't I'm glad that my experiences can be the thing that helps someone else feel not so all alone.
This may seem like an odd thing to post as a "Saturday Smiles" post. But I smile at this because I know that is using our hurts, both mine and my friend's, toward a positive. I still wish that neither of us had to go through the pain of miscarriage, but through it I can see God's love for us as He uses our hurts to help support each other.
And that makes me happy to be a child of God. I know that God grieves with us. And I know He can bring good even out of pain and sadness.
This may seem like an odd thing to post as a "Saturday Smiles" post. But I smile at this because I know that is using our hurts, both mine and my friend's, toward a positive. I still wish that neither of us had to go through the pain of miscarriage, but through it I can see God's love for us as He uses our hurts to help support each other.
And that makes me happy to be a child of God. I know that God grieves with us. And I know He can bring good even out of pain and sadness.
What made you smile this week? How were you aware of God's presence in your life? Share in the comments below or write your own blog post and link it up here using the inLinkz form below. Please also include a link in your post back to this one.
"Those feelings that never really go away, but get somewhat easier to deal with over time."
ReplyDeleteSo very true. I had my first pregnancy loss 25 years ago this coming week. I always get a little melancholy, even 25 years later. I have the joy of a son who will be 24 in August. He would not have been if my first child had lived. I had my second pregnancy loss the day after Father's day 14 years ago. Having had three successful pregnancies in between, the second loss did not cut so deep as the first. God, on His wisdom, never gives us more than we can handle with His help.
Blessings to you.
Nobody wishes a lost pregnancy on anyone, but it does help to know who understands. It's easy to feel alone in one's own grief. Everyone can recognize other mothers with children, but nobody wears a patch on her sleeve saying "I survived a miscarriage."
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