Suffering and the Holidays

Many times as we approach the holiday season our minds can be filled with many wonderful memories and anticipation as we approach the special days that will be filled with family, friends and the many wonderful memories that will be made.

For those of us who have lost a little one this season can also remind us of the hurt and emptiness that our hearts feel as we know that our little one will not be apart of the coming holidays.

How can we move through these months and still have joy? How does the Lord want us to handle these hard emotions and feelings?

Carolyn Mahaney gives us a great reminder in this post she wrote titled "Rejoicing in Suffering at Christmas". Please click on this link and read her wise words for us all. It is our prayer that her wisdom will help guide you through the coming months.

Loving the God who Takes Your Child

Psalm 34:7, 8, 17-19

The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him,
and delivers them.
Oh taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes
refuge in him! 

When the righteous cry for help,

the Lord hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Today we have a 2 beautiful video clips to share with you. These video clips are about Ezra Blaize, a precious baby boy.

In the first clip his parents are sharing at his funeral about his 54 day life, sharing what they have learned through his life. They so beautifully share their trust in the Lord, where they find their comfort during this hard time, and what they have learned from his life.

In the second clip, his parents share more of Ezra's story and their hope in the Lord.

Please take a few minutes to watch these touching videos!

Pouring out my Heart......

I want to share a beautiful post with you today by Kara Chupp. You might remember that a few years back I shared one of Kara's posts with you.

I love and appreciate Kara and her beautiful faith and honesty. She shares her hurt and hesitancy to open up to the Lord. I think that anyone who has lost a baby can relate to this. Kara so beautifully brings us into the hospital room were her precious baby girl was dyeing. 

Please click over the Overcomer blog to read Kara's post "Pouring out my Heart to Jesus...When we lost our baby".

A Story Of God's Faithfulness

Today we want you to take a few minutes and meet the Harms family. This beautiful family candidly shares their story. Their youngest daughter Ava was diagnosed with Alexandre's disease when she was just a few months old and sweet little Ava lived for just one year. In this short video, the Harms share how they saw the Lord's faithfulness and goodness during this time in their lives.

Grieving a Loss: What's it going to take to get through this?

A couple of months ago The Gospel Coalition held their 2012 National Women's Conference. Among the many wonderful sessions and speakers, there was one session that we thought would be a help and blessing to our readers at 4 Days To Eternity.  Nancy Guthrie did a wonderful job sharing on how to grieve a loss in the hope of God in her session "Grieving a Loss: What's it going to take to Get Through This?". Whether you have just lost a precious baby or a loved one or have unrealized hopes & dreams, this message will be a help to you. Please click over and you can either listen to, download the audio,or watch the video.

Grieving a Loss from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

Thankful for Life, No Matter How Long or How Short

This month we'd like to share with you a sweet testimony from a wonderful family that is choosing to delight in the Lord in spite of the challenges their son faces. They remind us that all life, whether short or long, healthy or sick, is precious and should be lived for the glory of Christ. They remind us of what Job said in Job 1:21 - "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."


We know that the Lord has different trials & joys for us all to walk through with Him. Each family & life is different and our individual stories are all unique and yet, we hope that the truth this family shares will be a blessing and help to you. The truths that they share can be applied to your life, and your family's life, no matter how long or how short your precious baby was/is with you.