This week in GriefShare, we dug further into the things we learn and experience through the grieving process -- how it affects our identity, our relationships, and learning to accept that our grief may be "imperfect." I did have struggles, and in turn growth, in all of these areas. Did how I see and identify myself change? Yes, definitely. Did my relationships with loved ones change? In certain ways, they did. Did the way I interact with other humans change? I hope, for the better.
But for me, one relationship in particular was profoundly altered -- my relationship with God. Through my grief, my faith went from being superficial to sacrificial.
From the very first moment the doctors told us there was something "wrong" with one of our babies, God was at work.
Through the course of an extremely difficult pregnancy with countless tests, scans and potential diagnoses -- He was teaching me to trust.
Through the doubt, fear and uncertainty -- He was teaching me to believe.
And through it all -- He was teaching me to depend fully on Him.
Not on myself. Not on the doctors. Not on medicine. On Him alone.
And I can honestly say that by the time we got to lay our eyes on those sweet baby girls for the first time, He had prepared my heart and soul for His plan.
That does not mean it was easy. It does not mean I didn't wish for a different outcome or feel my heart literally shattering inside of my chest. But I trusted -- I believed -- I depended fully on His grace.
I do not think God took our baby to teach a lesson or to prove a point. I do not believe that is the kind of God I serve. I do believe He had a greater calling for my life than I was fulfilling. I do believe He saw my superficial faith and knew there was more in me. I do believe he called me to be a bereaved mother, and through that transform from superficial to sacrificial. It might not have been the only way...but it is the way He chose.
There are still some days I do not want to be this person. More than once I have asked, "Why me?" But when I am truly honest with myself, I know that my life, my love and my faith are stronger through my loss.