She's Still Leaving a Legacy

I'm taking a break from continuing on with sharing about my journey with Hamilton's to acknowledge something that I absolutely treasure. What is this thing, you ask? Well, it's the very fact that Chloe, nearly five years since her death, is still leaving a legacy.

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??

Rejoicing This Morning!

This morning, God performed a miracle. We look around our comfy little lives and so often fail to see the miracles that surround us, but this morning, I bore witness to one of the greatest miracles in all the world. God, in His awesome power and sovereign plan, led a young woman into a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ! My role? A simple obedience...that's it. It is God who did the work.

So today, rejoice with our new Sister in Christ! She acknowledged her sin, recognized her need for a Savior, and asked Jesus to come into her heart. Is that not a miracle? That the God of all creation would send His One and Only Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life and die a sacrificial death on a cross. A cross that we should have been nailed to. But God. He paid the penalty for us, so that if we would just believe and receive, we would be saved. Thank you Jesus for this awesome miracle! We trust you when you say you are "the way, the truth, and the life." We love you and we rejoice in your heart-changing work today! May You alone be glorified and lifted high!

Rejoice in Our Sufferings?

We brought up this notion recently....the call from Scripture to "rejoice in our sufferings." The very statement seems to be an oxymoron, doesn't it? How can one rejoice in suffering? How can one consider it "pure joy" to face trials? What does that look like?

I wish I had all the answers. I don't. I have failed at this many times, resting in the lukewarm complacency of self-pity and lament. I have shaken my fists at God, wrestled with feelings of punishment, and wallowed in self-blame. All the while, onlookers say, "You're so strong." It reminds me of a line from a song whose lyrics read..."People say that I am brave but I'm not. The truth is I'm barely hanging on." (I Will Carry You by Selah). Even still, I have hope. The hope I possess keeps me clinging to the cross, at the feet of my Savior, Jesus. That's the answer. He's the answer. We can have joy in Him, not in our circumstance! Amen?!

I want to share a sermon with you that was preached at my church today. We had a visiting Pastor, Pastor Josh, who was a part of our church's original core group. He has gone on to plant a church in another community, Living Waters Fellowship, and God is doing a mighty work there! Please pray for their ministry!! Also, a shout-out to his wife, Danielle, who is a precious woman of God and a dear friend.....who also happens to cut my hair, which makes her extra special! :)

Anyway, Pastor Josh preached today about giving praise to God, in good times....and in bad, based on Psalm 66. Take some time to listen. I trust you will surely be blessed. I certainly was. Click here to listen to the podcast

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What do you ladies think? What does it mean to "rejoice in our sufferings?" How have you managed to do this in light of your loss? What choices do you need to make to be joyful in the midst of your loss (that's right...we have a choice!)? How can I pray for you in this area? Leave your comments below...