A Person's A Person, No Matter How Small

Today is a day of remembrance, grieving, and longing.  On this day, four years ago, my niece was born into Heaven.  Her parents and grandparents were able to hold her and say goodbye, but we never got to see her sweet face.  But, we don't want to forget the impact of her short life and we remember this day in hopeful anticipation of meeting her one day, in Heaven.

This part of life is so difficult.  Why must we live in a broken and fallen world where sin abounds and pain in plentiful?  As followers of Jesus, we have a hope for something beyond this world, but sometimes it's just so soul-crushingly painful to walk these earthly paths. 1 Peter 2:11 calls us "Sojourners" and "Exiles" here.  Even Jesus, Himself, said

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation. But, take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

 Knowing this Truth, does give me peace, but it is still difficult to navigate these valleys that try our very souls.

Dr. Suess, through Horton the Elephant, once said,

"A person's a person, no matter how small"

And, we believe this with all of our beings.  We believe it when King David said in the Psalm,

 "O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it....

For you formed my inwards part; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven in the depts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them,
the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."

Our niece was known by the Father and every one of her days was written in His book.  And, even though we never knew her, her life has impacted ours in infinitely profound ways.

Because of her (and her brother who preceded her to Heaven), we know...

• Life is precious from the very beginning
• Life is fragile - none of us is promised tomorrow
• Pain comes, awful things happen, but there is always the hope of Heaven
• Walking through grief with someone is an honor and a privilege
• Walking through grief with someone is full of missteps, awkward moments, and a lot of good intentions
• Each life has a purpose and a ministry, no matter how long or brief
• Loving people means watching their hearts break and not being able to fix it, but pressing in anyway, doing what you can, and praying desperately for peace
• Understanding these things is impossible and everyone processes pain differently
• Life is beautiful, full of hope, even amidst the pain
• Heaven is waiting

And, so we mark these days in the best ways we know how.  We love on our brother and sister and pray for peace for their hearts and they remember their children.  We grieve the niece and nephew we didn't get to know this side of Heaven.  We long for the day when we will see their faces!

If you know someone who is carrying the heavy burdens of infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth, or other grief, I would encourage you to reach out and offer your support.  Ask them how you can best honor these days.  One of my friends shared with me that her sister, who lost an infant son, said, "My biggest fear is that people will forget about him".  Since that day, I've made a point to remember and to ask if the marking of the day is helpful or hurtful.  I'm sure everyone who experiences this pain will want to mark it differently.  If you have the opportunity, ask them how they want you to join them in their grief and then do your best to honor it.

If you are someone who is carrying one of these burdens, my heart is for you and I'm lifting you in prayer today.  For those I know who are part of this unwanted fraternity and for those who struggle in silence, I'm praying for you now.  May the God of all comfort be withyou as you walk this difficult road.  And, may you take comfort wherever it may be found.

Today, I'm celebrating the person-hood of my niece and the impact of her life, because, certainly,

"A person's a person, no matter how small."