Early this afternoon, I received the very sad news that my cousins precious little baby girl Claire went to be with Jesus this morning. Her family was there with her during those last moments, and finally got to see her and hold her unencumbered by all the cords and tubes she was attached to.My family and I appreciate so very much all your prayers on behalf of Claire and her family. It's so wonderful to have friends that are willing to join you in prayer for those they don't even know. Again, I can't begin to express my gratitude...thank you.
My aunt mentioned to my mom that they could all sense the prayers that had gone up for them throughout little Claire's stay in the hospital. Though it was an ordeal that strained and stretched them at times, through it all, they felt that Peace that surpasses all understanding.
So much so, that the Doctor in the NICU even told my aunt and uncle that their daughter, my cousin Renee, was one in a zillion. That in all his 30+ years in the NICU, he'd never witnessed a mom who lived out her faith and had such grace as she did under those circumstances.
While I have grieved all afternoon for my cousin and her family during this very difficult turn of events, we do not grieve like those without hope. We know our dear little Claire is safe in the arms of Jesus. We also know that God's ways are higher than our ways. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
We don't always know the whys and wherefores of things that happen here in this world, but we do know that God is Faithful, and completes the work he begins in us. He is still on His throne. We may never know the reasons why things happen as they do this side of eternity, but we heard about many wonderful things that transpired in the lives of our loved ones, and some of the other families also in the NICU during Claire's stay there...glimpses of what might very well have been part of Claire's purpose on this earth, and for that, we can only stand in Awe of our All Wise, All Knowing Creator.
Our little Claire was a beautiful, precious gift that will not be forgotten. We were driven to our knees in prayer, frequently throughout each day of her short life...and in doing so, were drawn ever closer to our Lord. Though clear across the country from her, I felt like I knew the little sweetie as surely as if I was there in the NICU with them. Concentrated prayer on behalf of another seems to do that.
When I was reading the e-mail from my aunt earlier today, saying that Claire flew to the arms of Jesus this morning at 9:24 am, I got this beautiful image in my mind...one of a vivacious, cooing, giggly little dark headed baby girl, being held up by Jesus above his head as fathers do to delight their little ones, Jesus laughing in delight. It's one I'll always hold dear.
In that same e-mail, my aunt Pam included the beautiful lyrics to the song
Held by Natalie Grant, which was written for a friend who lost a baby.
Two months is too little
They let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we'd be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We're asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it's unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held
This hand is bitterness
We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held
If hope is born of suffering
If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait, for one hour
Watching for our Savior
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We'd be held
11 comments:
Becky, I'm so sorry for your loss. Reading to the end of this post and seeing that darling picture of Judah peeking up from the post you did yesterday was in stark contrast to reading about baby Claire. It was also a reminder of the joy our children bring us.
God bless Renee and all your family in this time of sorrow.
My heart goes out to your family, Becky. I will continue praying for you all. I love that song. It is about a couple that lost a baby...a baby they went thru infertility treatments to have. It's also about another friend (of the woman who wrote the song) whose husband was diagnosed with cancer and passed away in just two months. She got word of both situations within 24 hours. What an incredible song. I cry every time I hear it. Thank you for sharing.
"We do not grieve like those without hope" - this was beautiful! I am so sad and so sorry that baby Claire lost this battle, but I too believe that she is safely now in the arms of God. He, for whatever reason, just wanted her back - I like to believe that those babies are the ones that are just so special that he needs them near him. I will continue to keep you and your cousin and your family in my prayers - again, I am so sorry.
Thank you, Becky, for coming over and leaving such a nice Anniversary wish. TAke care and see you soon.
Yes, darling little baby Claire, in the arms of Jesus. That is, if He can pry her loose from the arms of her Grandmas Carpenter and Beckman!!! It's comforting to think that this little one is in a place where she will never again have tubes in her veins, neck, stomach, belly button, and no more pain medications necessary because a man made machine that's trying to keep her here isn't as perfect as the organs God makes, and that she IS, NOW, healed and whole. She got to skip this harsh old world, after leaving her own sweet legacy~~having brought us all together before the throne of grace on her behalf. She fulfilled her purpose and it was a noble one, and one day we will see her again, praise God! Won't that be something?
Words fail me at the moment.
Knowing that the Comforter is ever present. Praying for Baby Claire's family.
(((You)))
wow. My heart hurts for you all.
My condolences to you!
Earlier this week I visited your blog for the first time, and I wanted to tag you because I enjoyed your posts.
Although I listed your blog in my tag (see my blog for more info), please know that I completely understand if you wouldn't want to participate right now.
When I was in college, my neighbors lost twin boys born prematurely. I think often of those two angels because they were born on my birthday. One rejoined Jesus on the same day of his birth. The other spent a month here before returning to heaven.
My thoughts & prayers are with you.
I'm so sorry, Becky. But what a beautiful tribute to Claire and her family you wrote.
I will continue to lift all of you up in prayer.
Thank you all sooo much for your sweet comments and your prayers. I've cried a lot for my cousin, knowing how very difficult it will be for them for a long time, particularly when they see other babies and are reminded of their own sweet Claire. But we continue to pray that the Lord would give them the strength and comfort to get through each day. Thanks again each one of you. ~Becky
I'm so sorry for your loss. I would say something here, but I think your post says it all. I'm so glad for your faith during times like these.
Hugs and prayers to all.
This song makes me cry each time I hear it. I am truly grieved for your family and the loss they are feeling. I'm praying for you all.
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