Meet. Fall in love. Get married. Have a baby. That’s the story I expected for myself. That’s the story I watched in others. Instead,  we met. Fell in love. Got married. Lost a baby. Buried a baby. Lost another baby.

I was completely unprepared for this.

When we were told that Miriam’s heart had stopped beating, I remember feeling so alone. Completely isolated. Jonah and I both felt like there was no future beyond that point. But there was. There has been.

Sharing Miriam’s story has been a huge part of the purpose we have found in her death. We never want anyone to have the feelings that we had of loneliness and isolation if they experience a loss similar to ours.  We want them to think of us immediately and to know that we will be there for them in their grief.

But, the truth is, we were never alone. Scripture says in Psalm 139 that God goes before us and follows behind us.

You have enclosed me behind and before,
And [You have] placed Your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5 AMP

When I look through our pictures from the hospital, I am so comforted knowing that God was in that delivery room before we ever arrived. He was there throughout the birth. And, when we had to leave our daughter’s lifeless body, He stayed behind.

💜

Bonus Content:

Over the past four weeks, we have experienced a season of global “social distancing” that I fear could cause many feelings of isolation. There is so much pain and heartache in this world. Experiencing grief on top of being required to distance yourself from people who can support you is absolutely impossible.

If you are experiencing these feelings, please reach out to someone you love and trust. And if you know someone that might be going through a hard time (hint: we all know someone that is going through a hard time), text them. Call them. Pray for them. Encourage them. We were not meant to do this life alone. We were created to be connected. We were meant for community.

I’m here for you. (And so is Jesus, FYI.)

And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20 NLT