The Loss of Sweet Baby Arie

My Thursday evening was to be one of silly girlfriends scheming to try to induce labor. Mike and Marie had a 39 week baby appointment at 5pm. They were coming for dinner at 7pm. I was going to spice up her serving and then we would walk two miles to promote labor. It worked for me four of my five pregnancies so she was willing to give it a try. Dinner sat on the stove waiting and then the phone call.

There was no heartbeat. The details of the last 48 hours are of hearts breaking, dreams shattered and the delivery of a breathless baby girl. A mommy and daddy are home tonight. No baby will be crying.

Please pause and pray for this couple. Passion and love for our Lord they have. They have friends and family who have covered them in prayer. But even all this will not take away the pain in their hearts today, next week or even next year. They have no sweet baby girl waiting to be nursed, or sung to. Pray for them.

Please also pray for me. It may seem a bit selfish in the moment to ask prayer for me. I have never lost a baby. I have never held the hand of a grieving mommy as her baby is being delivered. I have never held a baby without a heartbeat. Yet God gave me courage and strength to walk through this with Mike and Marie. God brought friends into my life to help me know how to help when I was at a loss for knowing what to do, how to comfort and support this family. Now as the weeks unfold please pray for me to know when to step in or fade out. Thank you.