When we first found out about Addie’s condition and the darkness started setting in on my soul it was not a new feeling for me. The first couple of years of college were pretty hard on me and I knew this all to familiar sinking feeling from that time in my life. The only difference was that the pain I was feeling at having to face the fact that we may not be able to bring our little girl home made my rough patch in college suddenly seem like a cake walk. In the first couple of days after that first specialist appointment I literally did not know how I was going to get myself to keep going. I was in despair. I felt helpless and hopeless. I was tempted to want to sink into sorrow, but I knew I couldn’t let myself do that. Not only did I not want to put JD and James through that while we were facing an already difficult time in life, I knew from the past what it feels like to let sadness take over your life and I did not want to live like that. I also knew that what we were facing would take more strength than I could ever try to conjure up on my own. I NEEDED God in a way I had not felt in a long time.
I know we always need God, but sometimes it is easy to get into autopilot and not feel that need like we should. Everything made me hysterical and I could not imagine how I was going to get through. That is when I went up to my room laid in bed and read my Bible and prayed for peace in my spirit so that I could get through. It was such an incredible moment in my life because one minute I was pleading with God for peace and for my child with a feeling of hopelessness that sinks straight to the pit of your stomach, and the next minute I had a wave of peace come over me. It is a peace I continue to have and to this day I cannot explain except for to say that God is faithful. I never felt that peace meant that Addie was going to be okay, though I hoped that it did. But, I knew the peace was from God. I had an overwhelming sense that He was over Addie’s life and He loved her and had purpose for her life, no matter how short. It is something that I remind myself of daily as we go on in life without her.
All through our pregnancy with Addie, and since, people have constantly commented on JD and I’s strength in getting through this. I only wish I was actually that strong. The truth is I am very weak, but God is very strong. I lean into Him for strength, peace, and comfort daily, and without fail He provides. I have found that leaning into God as we go through this time in life has to be a daily choice. It is easy for me to become anxious over the future. One of the things that made JD and I know that we were meant for each other is that when discussing the number of kids we wanted to have we both said six. Since we got married we lowered the number to five because JD felt that made more sense as far as vehicles go. You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. We have always dreamed of a big family and losing Addie has shaken that dream as well. I now realize how much of that choice is out of our control. It is easy for me to want to worry over the future, over if God will bless us with a big family or not. Daily I have to make the choice to also hand our dream over to Him and trust that He will work all things “together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). JD and I no longer put a number on how many kids we would like to have, we’ll take as many as God chooses to give us. When thinking about writing this blog today I decided to look up passages in the Bible that speak to the peace I feel He has given our family. This is what I found:
John 16:33-I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Philippians 4:6-7-Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 29:11-The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Psalm 119:165-Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
Proverbs 14:30-A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Isaiah 33:17-The fruit of righteousness will be peace, the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Isaiah 57:18-19-I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace to those far and near, says the Lord. And I will heal them.
John 15:27-Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Thank you so much for continuing to pray for our family. We treasure every prayer.