Wings and halos

Verse.... "God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you to grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished." Phillipians 1:6 LB





Thought for today... God knows all about your sins and your failures, and he loves you anyway. He is ready to forgive all of them if you will just humble yourself and ask him to forgive you.

 
 
Song....

 
 
 
 
 
 
Poem...
 
Wings & Halos






By Suzanne in memory of Joey



Born and lost February 14th 2001







I was so excited when I woke up today



I heard my Mommy was coming to play



I washed my wings and my halo too



Cuz that's what Mommy likes me to do







I went to the place where I knew she'd be



It's where she comes to visit me



She comes for comfort in her despair



Oh Mommy, can't you feel me touching your hair?







I'm by your side all through the night



I never let you out of my sight



I was your baby for only a day



But soon we can be together and play







You know we'll never be apart



You'll never let me leave your heart



Mommy I'm not really in the ground,



lift up your head and look around







The clouds, the birds, the raindrops too



these gifts of life were given to you



Don't cry for me Mommy, I know you're here



Please let me wipe away that tear.







I was sent to you from up above



And you showed me the ultimate love



Instead of giving me all of your years



You freely gave me all of your tears







Remember your relatives, the ones who have died?



They brought me here, I'm by their side



They watch over me and help me to see



just how much you really love me







So don't be unhappy when you come visit me



I'm the angel above you, up in the tree



And when you leave, you'll never be through



You'll always be my Mommy



And I'll always love you

My child

Verse....  "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me holy in his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation." Luke 1:46-50 NIV




Song...  



Poem....

MY CHILD





My darling Child,



How much I love you,



Will you ever know?



I shall never hold you



Close to my bosom,



Only within my heart.



I will never sit at your bedside,



And listen to your tiny breaths,



As you sleep soundly.



I shan’t watch your first steps,



With awe, wonder and pride



And the patter of your tiny feet



Will never be heard.



No one will see your pretty face



Or tiny hands and feet



For God decided



That you were much too special



For this cruel world.



He wanted you to stay



Up above in Heaven



And sing with the angels.



I love you



My angel child.

Plot of weeds

Verse.... "I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand...... Fear not, I will help you." Isaiah 41:13 NKJV



Thought for today.... I must feel worse before I feel better. I hve to feel grief before we can experience joy. We must feel weak in order to feel God's power. (from Life's healing choices sermon)




Song....  



Poem....

This poem was given to me by a friend after I lost Grace at 18 wks. It spoke volumes to me. I feel like God has asked me to work in the "plot of weeds" called helping women who have had m/c. I feel that he has used me to offer support to those women who are hurting the most after a loss. But it is certainly a "plot of weeds" I never wanted to work in.




A Plot of Weeds


As I stood and admired God’s wonderful world as a garden of beautiful plots I said, Father, where would you have me to work? Just assign me some nice spot.

Then he turned my attention to a corner of weeds and, he said “you can tend that for me.” And I said “Oh no, Lord, not that overgrown acre. That’s nothing but briars and weeds. In a rose garden maybe or a lilac lagoon I will labor till life’s race is run. But don’t put me out in some lowly ravine where nobody can see what I’ve done.”


“Why people would laugh Lord, they’ll call me a fool. They’ll say this work cant be of you. I’d much rather work in a vineyard with folks who’ll appreciate all that I do. Lord. I’d work and I’d toll if I had fertile soil. I would plow, I would plant and I’d seed. For I do want to serve in the garden of life, but, Lord, not in an old plot of weeds.”


Then I lifted my eyes to the eyes of my Lord, and the love and compassion was plain. With infinite tenderness, he took me aside. And gently to me he explained, “Child, not all of my garden is level and smooth. Many pieces are rugged and rough. And some must be willing to work without praise and to serve where the going is tough. And I have chosen you for this one special task. And its not just an old plot of weeds; for my people are there in oppression and fear and your efforts there can help fill their needs.”


He said “aren’t you willing to suffer a little bit for me after I suffered so much for you? Would you be so ungrateful that you would recall the work that I’ve asked you to do?” Then he said, “Little One, get your hoe and your plow and go on to your garden of weeds. Don’t worry about people and what they might say. Are you working for them or for me?”


So I made up my mind I would give it my best for I knew when the work had begun; that God would send others to lighten the load and together we would get the job done. And when the last harvest is finally in, if we’ve worked in the sunshine and rain together we’ll stand at the end of the way and we’ll see what our labor gained.


No, a garden of weeds full of thistles and thorns would hardly be anyone’s choice. But the work of the Lord without hope for reward brings contentment and cause to rejoice. So if you are hoeing and plowing today where the ground seems unyielding and bare; Child of God, don’t look back but just keep pushing on if you know he has stationed you there.



And here is the way you can know, day by day, that you’re in the right place when you spot it; you may grow quite weary and tired in God’s way, but you never will grow tired OF it.




By: Mildred Ramsey

Just for today.....

Verse..... "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5




Thought for today... Think of the things you do not worry about. Perhaps you never worry about whether you will be able to get water out of the faucet in your kitchen, or maybe you do not worry about a tree falling on your house. Now ask yourself why you do not worry about such things. Is it because in the case of running water, it has always been there every time you wanted it, or that a tree has never fallen on your house before? Certainty breeds trust, doesnt it?



We can be just as certain and just as worry free about God's love and protection, and provision because he has never gone back on a single one of his promises. He never changes. Great is His faithfulness. (Billy Graham)





Song......



Poem...

Just For Today



Just for today, I will try to live through the next 24 hours...not expecting to get over my child's death, but learning to live with it...one day at a time

Just for today, I'll remember my child's life, not his death, and bask in the comfort of the treasured days and moments we shared.


Just for today, I will forgive all the family and friends who didn't help or comfort me the way I needed them to. They truly did not know how.


Just for today, I will reach out to comfort a relative or friend of my child. For they are hurting too, and perhaps we can help each other.


Just for today, I will free myself from my self-inflicted burden of guilt. For deep in my heart, I know if there was anything in this world I could have done to save my child from death, I would have done it.

Just for today, I will honor my child's memory by doing something with another child, be it my own, or someone else's, because I know that would make my child proud.


Just for today, I will offer my hand in friendship to other bereaved parents, fo I DO know how they feel.


Just for today, I will smile...no matter how much I hurt on the inside...for maybe if I smile a little, my heart will soften and I will begin to heal.


Just for today, I will allow myself to be happy and enjoy myself, for I know I am not deserting my child by moving on.



Just for today, I will accept that I did NOT die when my child did. My life did go on and I am the ONLY one who can make that life worthwhile again.

The Elephant in the room...

Verse(s) This is one of my favorite passages since losing Grace..... "1.O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 2.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3.You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4.Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. 5.You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7.Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8.If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9.If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10.even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11.If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12.even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13.For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15.My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16.your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139



 
 
 
Song...  
 
 
 
Poem....
 
The Elephant In The Room



There`s an elephant in the room.



It is large and squatting,



so it is hard to get around it.



Yet, we squeeze by with,



"how are you" and "I`m fine..."



and a thousand other forms of trivial chatter.



we talk about everything else



except the elephant in the room.



We all know it`s there.



We are thinking about the elephant as we talk.



It is constantly on our minds.



For you see, it is a very big elephant.



But we do not talk about



the elephant in the room.



Oh, please, somebody say my child`s name



Oh, please, say it again



Oh, please, let`s talk about the elephant in the room.



For if we talk about their death,



perhaps we can talk about their life.



Can I say their name...



and not have you look away?



For if I cannot,



you are leaving me alone...



In a room...



with an elephant.



~Author Unknown

Being Strong...

Verse.... "For where your treasure is your heart will be also." Luke 12:34 NIV







Thought for the day.... Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape.... Not every bend does. Sometimes the suprise is the opposite one; you are presented wtih exactly the same sort of country that you thought you had left behind a mile ago. That is when you wonder whether the valley isnt a circular trench. But it isnt. There are partial recurrences, but the sequence doesnt repeat. (C.S. Lewis)



Song...  
 
 
Poem....  
 
About Being Strong



by Sascha


Many people are convinced

that being strong and brave

means trying to think

and talk about “something else.”


But we know

that being strong and brave

means thinking and talking

about our child

until our grief begins to be bearable.

That is strength.

That is courage.

And only thus can

“being strong and brave”

help us to heal.

Mourners Bill of Rights...

Good morning ladies..  I had something I wanted to share this morning..  Yesterdays church service really moved me.  We were talking about missions and how everyone can do something.  God can use you.  I feel like I am living proof.  In the roughest time in my life he used me to reach out to other women who were going through the same thing that I was..  I am so honored that I have been able to do this..  My pastor said that "God can take your greatest misery and turn it into your greatest ministry". 

After delivering baby Grace at 18 wks I started reaching out to other women...  And continue to do so.  I know that when you are newly going through a loss you may feel angry at God and feel like there is no way he can use you.  For me knowing that something good has come out of losing Grace it brings me a strange sort of comfort.  Like because of her I am able to still reach out to women (over a year later).

I wish you all the peace that surpasses understanding.  I also pray that you let God use you to reach others who are going through a similar situation.   You girls are all in my thoughts and prayers. 


Verse...   "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  Mark 11:22-23 NIV



Thought for today...    When you do call for help, God has promised to respond: "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." Gods power is available to you right now - its just a choice away. All you have to do is believe and receive.





  
Song....  
 
 
 
 
Poem....
Mourner’s Bill of Rights.” It was written by Alan D. Wolfelt Ph.D. author, educator, grief counselor and director of the Center For Loss and Transition (http://centerforloss.com).



1. You have the right to experience your own unique grief.

No one else will grieve in exactly the same way you do. So, when you turn to others for help, don’t allow them to tell what you should or should not be feeling.



2. You have the right to talk about your grief.



Talking about your grief will help you heal. Seek out others who will allow you to talk as much as you want, as often as you want, about your grief. If at times you don’t feel like talking, you also have the right to be silent.


3. You have the right to feel a multitude of emotions.



Confusion, disorientation, fear, guilt and relief are just a few of the emotions you might feel as part of your grief journey. Others may try to tell you that feeling angry, for example, is wrong. Don’t take these judgmental responses to heart. Instead, find listeners who will accept your feelings without condition.


4. You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional limits.



Your feelings of loss and sadness will probably leave you feeling fatigued. Respect what your body and mind are telling you. Get daily rest. Eat balanced meals. And don’t allow others to push you into doing things you don’t feel ready to do.


5. You have the right to experience “griefbursts.”



Sometimes, out of nowhere, a powerful surge of grief may overcome you. This can be frightening, but is normal and natural. Find someone who understands and will let you talk it out.



6. You have the right to make use of ritual.



The funeral ritual does more than acknowledge the death of someone loved. It helps provide you with the support of caring people. More importantly, the funeral is a way for you to mourn. If others tell you the funeral or other healing rituals such as these are silly or unnecessary, don’t listen.



7. You have the right to embrace your spirituality.



If faith is a part of your life, express it in ways that seem appropriate to you. Allow yourself to be around people who understand and support your religious beliefs. If you feel angry at God, find someone to talk with who won’t be critical of your feelings of hurt and abandonment.



8. You have the right to search for meaning.



You may find yourself asking, “Why did he or she die? Why this way? Why now?” Some of your questions may have answers, but some may not. And watch out for the clichéd responses some people may give you. Comments like, “It was God’s will” or “Think of what you have to be thankful for” are not helpful and you do not have to accept them.



9. You have the right to right to treasure your memories.



Memories are one of the best legacies that exist after the death of someone loved. You will always remember. Instead of ignoring your memories, find others with whom you can share them.


10. You have the right to move toward your grief and heal.



Reconciling your grief will not happen quickly. Remember, grief is a process, not an event. Be patient and tolerant with yourself and avoid people who are impatient and intolerant with you. Neither you nor those around you must forget that the death of someone loved changes your life forever.”

Two faced woman

Verse... "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your holy spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your Salvation, and uphold me by your generous spirit." Psalm 51:10-12



Thought for today... Just because God works incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesnt mean He orchestrated the tragedy. Dont ever assume that God using something means that He caused it or that He needed it to accomplish his purposes. (Wm Paul Young)


Another thought for today.... Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that:

God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing.He has seen your whole life.... He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.




Video for today......  





Poem....


The Two-Faced Woman:


A wink, a nod, "I'm fine," I say,



To people as they walk past.



But inside my heart is torn to shreds,



My smile is just a mask.







I'll sit and chat, maybe share a joke,



Or at least I'll really try.



But my genuine friends see through the smoke,



My empty eyes cannot lie.







At home I weep, feel down in despair,



My feelings I cannot hide.



From husband, daughter, baby girl,



I'm afraid they're along for the ride.







Those waves of grief, they still hit hard,



And knock me off my feet.



I'm comforted, though, by their tender touch,



My daughters turn the bitter to sweet.







My babies now have Angel Wings,



In heaven they play and rest.



But in my heart I have their love,



And for that, I'm eternally blessed.







Yes, I'm the two-faced woman,



It's a job that I have to do.



To get on in life without my babies,



Day, week, and whole year through.

The difference

Verse....  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God ."  Philippians 4:6



 
 
Song....     
 
 
 
Poem... 
 
I got up early one morning and rushed right into the day


I had so much to accomplish that I didnt have time to pray.

Problems just tumbled about mke, and heavier came each task;

Why doesnt God help me? I wondered. He answered "you didnt ask"

I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day toiled on gray and bleak.

I wondered why God didnt show me.

He said "But you didnt seek"

I tried to come into God's presence; I used all my keys at the lock

God gently and lovingly chided

"My child you didnt knock"

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day

I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.



Author Unknown

Dedicated to Amanda and her twin girls...

I would like to dedicate today's post to my dear friend Amanda who's twin girls birthday is today..  Unforutnately their first birthday is being spent in heaven.  Amanda if you are reading this I love you girl, and I am sending giant HUGS to you today!  Your girls are in heaven wreaking havoc with Grace and my other two angel babies. 


Verse...  1.O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 2.You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  3.You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  4.Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. 5.You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  7.Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8.If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9.If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10.even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11.If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12.even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13.For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15.My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16.your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.   Psalm 139





Song... 



Poem...  This is a poem I wrote for grace's angel birthday.  I thought I would re-use it for Amanda's girls..  I know that she probably feels the same way I did when I wrote this poem...

please do not use without permission


by Cowgirl



My babys first birthday

There will be balloons,

No gifts, no party, or cake

For she is celebrating her birthday

with Jesus this year



Instead of celebrating

we will be grieving

the loss of her precious

little life way too soon



Memories of holding her,

kissing her, still in my head

her footprints will forever be on my heart

We love you and miss you everyday

Rest in peace my sweet baby girl

An angel never dies....

Verse......  "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: " For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."   Romans 8:31-39


Song.... 



Poem.....  

An Angel Never Dies


Don’t let them say I wasn’t born,

That something stopped my heart

I felt each tender squeeze you gave,

I’ve loved you from the start.



Although my body you can’t hold

It doesn’t mean I’m gone

This world was worthy, not of me

God chose that I move on.



I know the pain that drowns your soul,

What you are forced to face

You have my word, I’ll fill your arms,

Someday we will embrace.



You’ll hear that it was meant to be,

God doesn’t make mistakes

But that wont soften your worst blow,

Or make your heart not ache.



I’m watching over all you do,

Another child you’ll bear

Believe me when I say to you,

That I am always there.



There will come a time, I promise you,

When you will hold my hand,

Stroke my face and kiss my lips

And then you’ll understand.



Although I’ve never breathed your air,

Or gazed into your eyes

That doesn’t mean I never was,

An Angel never dies.



Author Unknown

Jesus heard you

Verse.....  "Continue praying, keeping alert and always thanking God."  Colossians 4:2



Song of the day...........  


Poem.....


Jesus heard when you prayed last night.


He talked to God about you

Jesus was there when you fought that fight

he is going to bring you through

Jesus knew when you shed those tears,

you did not weep alone

The burdens you thought too heavy to bear,

he made them his very own.



Jesus himself was touched by that trial,

you could not understand

Jesus stood by as you almost fell

and lovingly clasped your hand.



Jesus cared when you bore that pain,

indeed, he bore it too

He felt each pain, each ache in your heart,

because of his love for you.



Corrie Ten Boom

The stairway to heaven...

Verse...   "Come to me all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest"  Matthew 11:28




Song...... 




Poem....

The stairway to Heaven


Your baby has taken

Your baby is in peace now

Do not be mistaken



Heaven has no place

For suffering and pain

Those who suffer

Are the ones that remain



Have no sorrow for your baby

Who is in Heaven above

As we all know

Your baby is happy and loved



The sympathy goes

To those who remain

Those who lost their baby

Will feel much pain



I'm so sorry

About your loss

Stay focused on Jesus

And look to the cross



I asked the Lord

To comfort you

And give you strength

To help you through

I will miss you...

Verse.... "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you asthe world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  John 14:27



Song....  



Poem....

by Lyss DenisonALWAYS


I will miss you

I will think of you

Not sometimes

Not somedays

but Always.

I will love you

Not sometimes

Not somedays

but Always

Always....



There isn't a day that passes by,

Or a night dimmed by the ever changing moon,

That I don't wonder why

Why?

You can't be here.

It's so surreal

The way I feel

About someone I never really knew

I can never deny

How much I love you.

I will miss you

What makes a mother

Verse....  "You number my wanderings, put my tears into your bottle.  Psalm 56:8



Thought for today...  God knows you, he engraved your name on his hands and keeps your tears in a bottle.



Song.... 



Poem...  I chose a video poem for today because I think it is very powerful.  I hope you all enjoy!

Mommy's Arms are empty

Verse...  "God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished."  Phillipians 1:6  NIV




Song.... 



Poem...   I had to post a link to this poem as it is copyrighted.  But it is really beautiful so I had to share..  I hope you enjoy!

http://www.thelaboroflove.com/prose/poems/374.html 

My womb is empty

I hope that you all have a great Easter tomorrow.  Try to celebrate Jesus overcoming the grave.  I know it will be a hard day for all of us thinking of our LO's that left us way too soon.. 


Verse....  "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."   Psalm 46:1-2



Song...  


Poem... 

by Amanda Cobb

Can't seem to shake it


My womb is empty

I can't believe it

I know better

God didn't end it

I have to wrap my mind around

The way it all ended

The hurt is worse than I've felt in a while

My baby is Blessed more than I know

With Gods help

I can get through this

But I just can't seem to shake it

I know I did not to cause you

To be taken away in such a way

The doctors' statistics are making me crazed

I wanna know

Why did you go away?

Your daddy and I named you anyway

You are Blessed

And now you are safe forever

In the arms of Jesus

We will see you soon baby

Mommy loves you