Today, I have the amazing privilege of speaking to a group of 48 students at Iowa State. I was invited by the instructor to come and share my story of prenatal diagnosis and loss with these students who are in an infant development and guidance class. I have actually shared my story with this particular course every semester since Spring of 2006, as I used to be the Teaching Assistant and then Instructor for the course. I'm thinking about this for the first time now, realizing that approximately 550+ students have learned about Chloe's life, death, and legacy just from this one course. That's a treasure to me!
Let me be clear here...it's not the numbers that are important to me. It's not about me coming to speak. It's not about anything I can say or do. It's not about the positive feedback I have received over the years. It's so much more!
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasures is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:19-21
To me, the real treasure lies in the fact that her life and death contribute to countless heavenly treasures, a few of which are listed below...
Her life and death have changed me.
Her life and death brought my husband into a relationship with Christ.
Her life and death have reached others for Christ.
Her life and death have allowed me to comfort others.
Her life and death have given me opportunity to share the HOPE I have.
Her life and death have provided a ministry for me to serve in.
Her life and death have shown me what it means to love.
Her life and death have revealed a glimpse of God's purpose in my life.
Her life and death have taught her brother and sister how precious life is.
Her life and death continue to amaze me as her legacy lives on.
Our babies leave us these treasures. They are gifts...left behind for us to discover, unwrap and share with those in our world. Who is in your world? Who could benefit from knowing your story? How can God use your child's life to store up treasures in heaven? For some of you, it may be a sister or a girlfriend or a neighbor. Maybe the gift is for you, first. Maybe your own child's life and death will change you in the same way it changed my husband, as he surrendered first to a relationship with Jesus. What is your child's legacy? It's there. Years later, it will remain. As a Mommy with Hope, we can carry this legacy. I can't let Chloe's life define mine, but I can share how God has used her and how He continues to do so. Precious Chloe Marie...she's still leaving a legacy.
In closing, I encourage you to ponder these lyrics from Nichole Nordeman's song, Legacy...
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to you enough to leave a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your Name unapologetically
I want to leave a legacy...
Lord Jesus, I want to leave a legacy. Thank you for Chloe. Thank you for Jesse and Riyah too. Thank you for using these babies' lives to store up treasures in heaven. They have a legacy lasting into eternity by the way their lives have reached others for your Kingdom. I am truly blessed to be able to share their lives with those in my world. I pray, Lord, that you would continue to use me. I pray that you would do the same for each and every mommy reading this blog. She has a story that I trust You to redeem for your honor and glory! Thank you for loving us so much that You gave Yourself! Amen.
What treasures would you like to share??
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1 comment:
So true! I am constantly reminded of how my life changed after our loss of Kailer, but there are so many things I have done since loosing Kailer that I don't believe I would have done if I hadn't been placed in that whirlwind of grief. It has given me a lot of comfort knowing that my family is providing families who experience a loss at the hospital we delivered with grief resources, which we never recieved. Five years later I am blessed to have two beautiful children here with me and Kailer has made it so I cherish every single moment of being with them, from sleepless nights and sickness to hearing my daughter say "Mom, today was a really fun day... can we do that again tomorrow?".
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