Lisa Notes: When God’s Timing Seems Off

She came too early. And left too soon. And where was God?

A difficult pregnancy left me sleepless and aching and worried. I wanted my baby girl to stay inside me as long as she could because she was safe there. But time would soon run out.

Sooner than I knew.

I went into premature labor with Kali at 32 weeks. Outside of my body, she only lived 1 hour and 17 minutes.

Even though I knew she lived on, I wondered how I would. All I had of her was a clipping of her soft black hair, a copy of her handprints and footprints, and a few pictures that a nurse had taken after she died.

Read the rest here

* * *

I’m writing at Do Not Depart today for our Ebenezer series, sharing stories of God’s faithfulness and help.

If you know of a family losing a little one, gently point them toward Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, a ministry of professional photographers who donate their time to preserve precious memories.

Do you struggle with God’s timing, too? Do you wish he’d speed up or slow down?

0 Vote up Vote down

Lynn Severance · 677 weeks ago

Beatuiful post, Lisa as I know this loss remains ever close to you and your family.

I was just talking with my cousin who lost a young but grown son to a work related accident, a loss the rocketed through their hearts as well as the small community where they live. She was sharing with me how a ministry that reached out to them was of help emotionally.

And the message is much of what you share here. God does know the timing of life for all of us - how many days He has recorded for each of us and, that be they short or long, they are under His directive and for His pursposes.

That can be a pretty intellectual approach when our hopes and dreams for a new life is swooped away - as they are swooped away.
We are changed forever - as with any death of a loved one.

I appreciate you sharing this tender story with all of us as we can each take it and apply it to the dreams we still have and wonder about God's timing and "when will He arrive" with his answers, with the gift.
Somehow we come to know that He is the gift and all other gifts are a bonus - welcomed but always in His hands and by his design to draw us closer to Him.

Love, Lynn xo

+1 Vote up Vote down

Lisa notes 103p · 677 weeks ago

I so much appreciate your years of wisdom and experience in walking with the Lord. I know you've had so many trials and victories and still unresolved situations that you're waiting patiently on. Your words carry such weight with me--that's why I read your comments more than once. This one is no exception.

Your last sentence reminds me once again what I'm trying to dig deeper into my soul...that God IS the gift and all other gifts are icing on the cake. I'm glad you're part of those gifts in my life...a big pink rose made of buttercream icing. :)
My recent post A May day

1 reply · active 677 weeks ago

You are one of His special gifts to me, also, Lisa! Thank you.
I am reminded of your posting a year or more ago about being a gift at the airport!
I loved that image and keep it close in my heart of desires.
Writing conference May 18-19 - getting ready to find out what waits there! xo

ideni 87p · 677 weeks ago

Lisa - I've commented before about my own loss. Your story seemed particularly poignant today. I just got through reading another blog post about motherless daughter's and I couldn't help but think of those of us who are seemingly daughterless mothers. However, we were and are the mothers of these children and their lives, however long or short are fraught with meaning and love. Thanks for sharing this.

Your story is one that I can't forget, Deni. Your perseverance through such pain amazes me. I feel blessed to have connected with strong women like you and Lynn through the Chronic Pain site.

I know Mother's Day is never the same for you after losing your daughter so tragically. Your reunion will very sweet some day. My prayers are with you now.
My recent post A May day