Leaning on Faith

Words cannot express how I am feeling. Shock and sadness just don't seem to be enough. A friend moved from Hawaii for her husband to start grad school at MIT. She has two little boys, the same ages as my own. They weren't planning on a third, but sure enough, she left Hawaii pregnant. She did not find out what she was having initially, hoping for a baby girl. When she arrived in Boston, her new doctors suggested an ultrasound, just to peek and check out baby's health. About four weeks ago, she found out she was carrying a little princess. She also knew the baby's health was questionable. She was born prematurely at 30 weeks, just 2 weeks ago. Things were shaky, but optimistic. Today baby girl had an EEG and an MRI done, only to find she will probably not make it through the week.

In my studies, this verse struck me just last week:

"The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy." -Proverbs 14:10

I have no idea what JOY she knew these last months, pregnant, expecting a baby girl. I didn't know her heart's expectations. I cannot imagine her grief. As much as I can try, there is One who knows her grief so much more than any one else.

A cross reference to this verse is:

"She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly." -1 Sam 1:10

Hannah was devestated over her infertility, yet she went to the only One that knew and understood her heart.

While I am consumed with the first day back to preschool and selling our home, my heart is broken for my friend. I am praying for her as I am busying about my own life, knowing that she is faced with planning a celebration service for her baby girl this week. I pray that she leans on the One that knows her grief because He first knew her JOY.