Gospel Prism

When things to go terribly wrong at birth, our sovereign God is still there and is still gracious. Our church has had a baby boom these last two years. For a church our size, we have had about 20 babies born which means that I am regularly dedicating infants to the Lord. But the most notable thing about the births in our church is that there has never been a tragic moment among those born. There has been no stillborn deaths, no deaths at birth, no deaths after birth. Considering today’s medical technology, maybe this doesn’t surprise you. But I was reading John Piper’s post on the Desiring God blog and saw that his son Abraham lost his second child in the womb just prior to birth. JP’s words are moving as he describes the events following the news of the child:

At 11:54 PM, September 22, 2007, labor complete, Felicity Margaret Piper was born—lifeless. Abraham and Molly spent an hour or so with Felicity alone. Then the grandparents came in. Molly’s parents, Bob and Darlene Dillemuth had flown in immediately from Erie, Pennsylvania. Then Ben and Melissa and Karsten and Shelly and Millie and Talitha came in. All the adults held Felicity. I took lots of pictures and made a slide show to the music, “Be Thou My Vision.” It brings tears.

Abraham and Molly went home the next morning. The funeral is set for 11 AM Wednesday, September 22, 2007 at Bethlehem.

I have wept on Abraham’s shoulder with firm embraces. I have watched other men weep with him. I love the ready tears of strong men. I did not know Felicity. But I have known my son since he was Felicity’s age. When he is broken it affects me deeply. I cry when I see him and when I think about him. He loves being a father. He and Molly were both so excited about their girl. We are all numb with incomprehension. She was so ready and so healthy. The doctor who delivered her said the cord was tight around her neck and that was probably the cause.

Noel and I lay in bed at about 3 AM after coming home from the delivery thinking: strangling seems so preventable. By God and by man. Yes. So easy. But neither man nor God prevented this. Man, because he did not know it was happening. God, because he has his wise and loving reasons that we wait to learn with tears and trust.

I am so thankful for these last words. There is mourning and grieving there along with trust and comfort. I am grateful because one day I know that I will also be caring and mourning together with parents whose unbridled joy will turn to grieving. I couldn’t think of a more tragic turn events than a person going from the most joyous moment of their lives to the most sorrowful. And so when this time comes, I know Paul’s words in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep,” will be the best words of advice a pastor caring for a grieving soul will hear.

The only comfort one could face during such a time is knowing that our gracious God also understands suffering because He Himself suffered. And He who has graciously given us His own Son (Romans 8:32), knows the deep heartache that comes during such a time. And yes, even this happening, God has “his wise AND loving reasons” that we trust as His children.

My prayers are with the Piper family and all who have suffered such loss.